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Ursula von der Leyen: The EU Commission President presented the new climate program in Brussels
Photo: STEPHANIE LECOCQ / EPA
The EU Commission has presented a comprehensive climate protection program.
With “Fit for 55”, the EU wants to save at least 55 percent of CO2 emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.
By 2050, practically no more CO₂ should be emitted.
The climate plan is ambitious and meets with different reactions.
Greens boss Robert Habeck has welcomed the EU climate protection plans, but at the same time called for higher goals. "It's good that the program is here," he said. The federal government has decided on more ambitious goals, but then nothing has been achieved. "So the federal government slept while the EU Commission presented a proposal on how it could be done." They presented quite ambitious instruments. "In this respect: the federal government has stopped work, work is still going on in Brussels."
The Green leader is currently on an election campaign tour in the north.
Under the motto “Fit for 55”, the EU Commission has drawn up legislative proposals to ensure that the climate targets are achieved.
The EU wants to reduce greenhouse gases by at least 55 percent below the 1990 level by 2030.
But this goal is not enough for Europe to get on the targeted 1.5-degree path, said Habeck.
Even higher targets for reducing CO₂ emissions are necessary here.
Federal Environment Minister Svenja Schulze emphasized the importance of the package of measures to implement the more stringent climate targets.
The SPD politician said: “This will make climate protection a central European project for the future.
It's about nothing less than a new industrial revolution, led by the European Union. "
The federal government will now examine proposals
Germany is well prepared for the upcoming debates, said Schulze with a view to the changed climate protection law with higher climate targets. The Federal Government will now examine the proposals of the EU Commission thoroughly, but also quickly and constructively. "There will certainly be intensive negotiations, and we will do our part to ensure that an ambitious, fair and solidarity-based agreement is reached."
According to Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer, Germany will need 14 million e-cars by 2030 in order to be able to meet the EU climate targets.
"That is only possible if the manufacturers quickly make good offers that are affordable for everyone," said the CSU politician to the newspapers of the Funke media group.
The EU Commission's strategy is hardly surprising, but it is challenging.
The ambitious goals should not overwhelm consumers and business.
"Mobility must remain affordable for people."
In the aviation industry, however, the new EU climate package has raised concerns about possible competitive disadvantages compared to non-European competitors.
The airport association ADV as well as Lufthansa demanded in their first reactions that additional financial burdens should not be unilaterally imposed on the European providers.
Greenpeace criticizes climate targets as too low
All proposed measures for air traffic such as the further development of the European emissions trading, binding quotas for sustainable fuels and a kerosene tax led to considerable competitive disadvantages without compensation instruments, said a spokeswoman for the Lufthansa Group in Berlin.
In the further legislative process, it will be important to ensure fair competition and at the same time prevent CO₂-heavy production from simply being relocated across the EU's external border.
Greenpeace, on the other hand, criticizes the climate targets as too low.
This will not stop the destruction of the planet, says EU Director Jorgo Riss.
Many measures would not take effect for at least ten years, such as the phasing out of internal combustion engines from 2035. Others would pour oil on the fire.
According to its President, the European Parliament is ready to start discussions on the climate package as soon as possible.
The EU has proven that it is possible to reduce emissions and create jobs at the same time, says David Sassoli.
"Let's keep going down this path and make sure no one is left behind."
asc / Reuters / dpa