Belgium, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) The EU Council and the EU Parliament reached a provisional agreement on new climate rules for member states.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Council pointed out that it agreed with the EP to step up reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to 40% compared to 2005 in sectors outside the EU Emissions Trading System.
These include road transport, domestic maritime transport, agriculture, buildings, small industries and waste, with the Council noting that new rules change the way bloc members can achieve their environmental targets.
Marian Jurečka, Czech Minister of the Environment, pointed out “these sectors, directly linked to our everyday lives, generate about 60% of greenhouse gas emissions” and added “I am glad that we managed to reach a swift agreement on this proposal just in time for COP27.”
According to Jurečka, the move will “allow the EU to show to the world that it seriously intends to reduce emissions in line with its commitments under the Paris Agreement.” He concluded that it is the EU’s responsibility “to preserve our planet for all future generations.”
More flexibility
EU Council and EP noted that EU member states will be allowed some flexibility in the pace of their greenhouse gas emissions cuts in the coming years.
If a bloc member cuts emissions more than planned in a given year, it can transfer to the next year up to 75% of the excess. At the same time, if reductions are below target, EU member states can borrow up to 7.5% of their allocation for the next year in the period up to 2025, and up to 5% in the period up to 2030.
In addition, member states will be allowed to buy and sell up to 10% of their respective annual allocations in the period up to 2025 and up to 15% in the period up to 2030.
The Council pointed out that planned rules still have to be approved by the EP and the Council. The body reminded that the bloc aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels and reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
