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The European Parliament adopted a resolution on Thursday outlining its priorities ahead of the World Climate Conference in Brazil (COP30).

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Discussion about the ‘magic 90%’ for 2040 must not cloud the debate on the international process any further / The European Union has already embarrassed itself / Better to make compromises now than accept endless deadlock


The European Parliament's Environment Committee has voted by a large majority in favour of an ambitious climate target for 2035. “We call on the environment ministers to adopt a target at the upper end of the range under discussion as soon as possible,” said Peter Liese, spokesperson for environmental and climate policy for the largest political group in the European Parliament (EPP, Christian Democrats).

In September, the environment ministers were unable to agree on the so-called ‘NDC’ and merely wrote a non-binding ‘letter of intent’ to the United Nations, in which they announced that they would adopt a target of between 66.25% and 72.5%. This was the second time that the European Union had missed a UN deadline. Many other countries are now hiding behind the EU and have also failed to report any targets. In contrast, the UK, Japan, Brazil, and others had already reported targets before the first deadline in January, with China and Australia following suit in September. 

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Peter Liese: ETS is core of an efficient European climate policy / Nevertheless, compromises make sense / Targeted use of revenues is essential

The European Commission will propose decisive changes to the emissions trading system for heating and road transport, that has been adopted in 2023, in the coming weeks. This has been announced today making an effort to accommodate critics. With the help of the European Investment Bank (EIB), the future revenues of the member states are to be distributed even before the system comes into effect on January 1, 2027. “This so-called ‘frontloading’ will enable the European member states to offer citizens and small and medium-sized companies opportunities for decarbonization in the affected areas before the CO2 price even comes into effect. This is particularly crucial for countries that did not have a CO2 prize so far, or for countries such as France with a high public deficit. The aim of ETS2 is not to burden citizens, but to achieve decarbonization. This must not be forgotten in all the debates. That is why the funds must be used as quickly as possible to enable people to make the transition to low-emission or climate-neutral mobility and climate-friendly heating systems," said the climate policy spokesperson for the largest parliamentary group in the European Parliament (EPP, Christian Democrats), who is, however, speaking on this issue in a personal capacity for the time being, as the European People's Party group has not yet reached a final opinion on this matter.

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Peter Liese: Priority for climate policy over other environment targets / More attention to emissions trading / Abolishing the ban on the combustion engine does not harm climate protection

“We urgently need a new focus in European climate and environmental policy. We must focus on climate protection and stop trying to achieve all other environmental goals at the same time, and we must concentrate on the most important instruments, namely emissions trading. Weakening or even abolishing this most important climate instrument would equal the end of European climate policy. On the other hand, abolishing the ban on the combustion engine does not harm the climate at all if done correctly,” said Dr Peter Liese, spokesperson for climate and environment policy for the largest political group in the European Parliament (EPP, Christian Democrats), on the occasion of the publication of a report by the European Environment Agency.

  1. European Union misses UN deadline
  2. Mercosur agreement benefits the climate / Probably decisive step towards stabilizing the Paris Agreement after Trump's withdrawal
  3. 2040 Climate Goal in Parliament
  4. Motion of No Confidence Against EU-Commission