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Peter Liese: Important that there’s an agreement finally / Improvements of the details still needed by Parliament

“I am glad that the environment ministers have finally agreed on the climate target for 2040. I consider the agreement on the 2040 target to be acceptable,” said Dr. Peter Liese, climate policy spokesperson for the largest group in the European Parliament (EPP, Christian Democrats). “The 90% target is incredibly ambitious, and I can well understand why flexibility elements, such as the recognition of climate protection efforts abroad, have been included. I also accept that there is a review clause in case nature — for example, through CO₂ sequestration in forests — does not help us as much with climate protection as the European Commission expects. (In fact, the target is an 82% reduction within the European Union. Some countries even have the possibility to achieve further reductions through efforts abroad.) This is still very ambitious compared to many other countries and regions of the world, considering, for example, that Japan has a reduction target of 60% for 2035,” Liese said, assessing the core of the agreement.

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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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Peter Liese: The Council's conclusions are encouragingly positive / Transformation continues / But we need pragmatism, technology neutrality and greater consideration for competitiveness, and above all more opportunities for citizens

“In my view, the conclusions of the European Council on future climate policy and competitiveness are encouragingly positive. For a long time, it looked as if the European Council would be unable to reach any agreement on this important issue. The Member States were reportedly hopelessly divided. Given this expectation, the declaration is surprisingly clear. I think it strikes exactly the right balance between ambition and pragmatism,” said Peter Liese, climate and environment policy spokesperson for the largest group in the European Parliament (EPP, Christian Democrats), on the occasion of the European Council's decision on Thursday night.

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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.

  1. European Parliament’s Environment Committee calls for ambitious climate target for 2035
  2. New focus needed for environment and climate policy
  3. European Union misses UN deadline
  4. Mercosur agreement benefits the climate / Probably decisive step towards stabilizing the Paris Agreement after Trump's withdrawal