EU energy ministers back 2030 climate goal update, leave deal for later

(EurActiv, 7 Oct 2020) Germany’s Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said talks on Tuesday (6 October) between energy ministers from the 27 EU members had shown that a majority want to update the emissions-cutting target by 2030 for the bloc, on its way to climate neutrality by 2050.

“We have a historic window of opportunity to show … that we are serious about climate neutrality and determined to go this way together with industry,” he said at a press conference after the meeting.

He did not say whether there was a majority to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% this decade from 1990 levels – the target proposed by the European Commission last month, up from 40% currently. Altmaier said he supports a 55% cut.

Some member states expressed concern on Tuesday that deeper emissions reductions would harm their industrial competitiveness, he said.

Altmaier called on the EU to take “courageous” action to impose carbon costs on imported goods, warning that without sufficient protections Europe could lose part of its industry, and low-emissions products would face a competitive disadvantage.

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EurActiv, 7 Oct 2020: EU energy ministers back 2030 climate goal update, leave deal for later