European Parliament approves GHG reduction by 60% by 2030

Brussels, 11 September 2020 - The European Parliament’s ENVI Committee committed this morning to the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in the European Union by 60% by 2030, against 1990 levels (46 votes in favour, 17 abstentions, 18 against).

This is the first time such an ambitious goal is adopted in this Committee and it is a strong signal that the EP is moving towards a commitment with climate. 

The mains votes against were from the Identity and Democracy group (the political family of Portuguese MP André Ventura) and the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), while abstentions came mostly fomr the European People’s Party (EPP).

The main demands of the group of the Greens/European Free Alliance were widely supported, including:

• the goal of achieving zero net GHG emissions by 2050 at the latest, both at EU and Member State level (the position of this group was by 2040);
• negative net emissions from 2051 onwards;
• a 2040 target based on a GHG emissions budget to be established by COM;
• consistency of any project, including but not limited to any COM legislative and budget proposal, with EU climate goals (2030 target and 2050 zero net target);
• the creation of an independent European scientific advisory body on climate change;
• enhanced access to justice at MS level;
• phasing out fossil fuel subsidies by 2025 at the latest, both at EU and Member State level, and annually releasing alignment of EU spending taxonomy;
• 5-year review of the Climate Law, following each global balance under the Paris Agreement.

The plenary vote on the Climate Law will take place on 1 October.

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