The EU has set itself lofty goals for climate protection.
Consumers and business will have to make sacrifices to achieve them.
The EU Commission wants to say on Wednesday what it thinks is necessary.
Brussels - This Wednesday, Ursula von der Leyen's EU Commission presented eagerly awaited legislative proposals to achieve the European climate protection targets for 2030.
It is assumed that the consumption of fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas or mineral oil should once again be made significantly more expensive in order to accelerate the switch to climate-friendly technologies.
In addition, the carbon dioxide limit values for new cars are likely to be raised again, among other things.
Consumers must expect increased costs for the use of conventional gasoline and diesel vehicles and heating.
In order not to leave people with low incomes alone with rising energy and transport costs, there should be a climate social fund.
The proposed measures are intended to enable EU countries to reduce greenhouse gases by at least 55 percent below the 1990 level by 2030. This, in turn, is a prerequisite for ensuring that no more climate-damaging gases will be released into the atmosphere by 2050. At the end of the day, the goal is to stop man-made climate change and its consequences. Scientists see global warming as a reason for rising sea levels and weather-related natural disasters such as cyclones, hail, floods and forest fires.
In Germany, the proposals to limit emissions from road traffic are eagerly awaited. Federal Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer (CSU) warned the EU Commission shortly before the publication of its pact that the course was too hard. Scheuer told the German Press Agency in Berlin: “I believe that all automobile and truck manufacturers are aware that there are stricter requirements. But they have to be technically feasible. And if you change the specifications every six months, then planning security becomes difficult. "
"In road traffic we must have a fuel alternative for the phasing out of the fossil combustion engine in 2035," said Scheuer.
“In the case of cars, I am part of the fact that electric drives are the main focus.” With trucks, however, you have to rely more on hydrogen.
"We import crude oil, so we will also be able to import a large part of hydrogen in the future."
Scheuer also spoke out against a possible European kerosene tax.
“I have nothing against ambitious specifications, nor anything against tightening, it helps to ensure planning security and leads to innovations.” But if airlines refueled their planes in Istanbul or elsewhere, then that would be wrong, says Scheuer.
The Federal Association of Freight Transport, Logistics and Waste Management is assuming that battery-powered trucks for long-distance transport will probably not be available until 2025 at the earliest, due to the currently still enormous battery weights.
"The first hydrogen truck in series production is planned for 2027", according to the association.
Trading in CO2 emissions is an issue
Discussion is also expected about the expected proposals to adapt the trading system for CO2 emissions.
Certain companies need pollution certificates, which they either have to purchase at auction or are given free of charge.
Since the amount of available certificates is continuously falling and they can also be traded retrospectively, there is a great incentive for companies to reduce their emissions as much as possible.
The views of conservationists and Minister of Economic Affairs Peter Altmaier (CDU) differ widely here.
While Altmaier emphasizes that the steel industry still urgently needs free certificates, the WWF is demanding that they no longer be issued in the future.
The Federation of German Industries (BDI) announced before the legislative proposals were presented that they would have to be measured against the ability to compete.
"The focus must be on a sufficient amount of renewable energies at competitive prices and the development of the hydrogen economy," said BDI President Siegfried Russwurm.
After the proposals have been presented this Wednesday, the real negotiations will begin. They will mainly be conducted between the member states in the Council of the EU and the European Parliament. How long the talks will last is unclear. In principle, however, speed is of the essence in order to give industry and consumers as much time as possible for the changes and reductions. dpa
