Stronger CO2 cuts, if certain conditions are met

The EPP Group fully supports the move towards Europe's climate neutrality by 2050, outlined in the so-called Climate Law, proposed today by the European Commission. Nevertheless, the EPP Group also wants to make sure that other continents make similar efforts.

"Cutting emissions to net zero by 2050 is very ambitious and challenging. The EPP Group wants to put Europe's united effort behind this goal. We endorse the Commission's decision not to give in to the demands of the left in the European Parliament who are asking for unreasonably high CO2 emission targets without any proper impact assessments", said Esther de Lange MEP, Vice-Chairwoman of the EPP Group responsible for Economy and Environment.

"The EPP Group wants to set CO2 emission targets to at least 50 percent by 2030 with an option to increase this by 55 percent if certain conditions are met", noted de Lange. In addition, the EPP Group insists on two conditions: "In order to move beyond a 50 percent target to 55 percent, we need a prior impact assessment and international cooperation".

"We must be more ambitious in protecting our planet, but we must be smart while doing it. If we reach climate neutrality but have no more industrial jobs to offer, we will not be a role model for China, India or the rest of the world. Without the support of these emerging markets, it will not be possible to achieve the Paris climate goals", said Peter Liese MEP, EPP Group Spokesman for the Environment Committee.

For the EPP Group, it is not acceptable if the European Commission wants to bypass the European Parliament and Member States when tightening emission targets every 5 years between 2030 and 2050, by using the so-called delegated act, a legal instrument that takes power away from legislators and gives it to Commission expert groups.

"We will fight this. We cannot allow the issues that affect the everyday lives of all citizens to be decided on a technical level by bureaucrats. It is unhealthy if all this power is concentrated in the hands of one single man", concluded de Lange and Liese.