Climate law sets direction but lacks urgency
Posted on March, 04 2020
We need a climate GPS system, but this proposal is only a compass
The EU’s proposed climate law puts Europe on an essential course to net zero emissions, by setting it as a target for 2050 at the latest. However the proposal falls far short of what the climate emergency requires. It fails to include measures that would reduce emissions drastically now.Imke Lübbeke, Head of Climate and Energy at WWF European Policy Office said:
“We need a climate GPS system, but this proposal is only a compass pointing us in the general direction of climate neutrality. It needs to drive massive emissions reductions starting today. This can be done by increasing the 2030 target to 65% emissions cuts, bringing EU policies in line with our climate targets now, and creating an independent scientific body to advise on our climate action. Environment ministers tomorrow must speak up.”
The climate law proposal contains a five-yearly review of the EU and Member States’ progress towards climate neutrality starting in 2023, and gives the European Commission powers to set an emissions trajectory the EU should follow beyond 2030.
Crucial elements that should be included to tackle the climate emergency are:
- A target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 65% by 2030 and reach net-zero emissions by 2040, in line with science. The law should also contain a separate target for removing CO2 from the atmosphere by restoring forests and other ecosystems - something on which it is completely silent.
- A ban on all subsidies, tax breaks, advertising and other benefits for fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas.
- Changes to make EU policies in other areas - for example on gas infrastructure, farm subsidies or bioenergy - consistent with climate goals. The law requires the Commission to assess this issue but only for the period after 2030
- A commitment to set up an independent scientific body to scrutinise the EU’s targets and its plans and policies to tackle the climate emergency.
More information:
- See the European Commission’s proposed EU climate law
- Watch WWF’s joint press briefing with Greenpeace and CAN Europe on the climate law (Mon 2 March)
- See our media advisory on the climate law: (Tues 3 March)
- Read the letter from 12 Member States calling for a rapid increase to the EU's 2030 climate target (Tues 3 March):
- See WWF and Greenpeace's 12 asks on the climate law (October 2019)
Alex Mason
Senior Policy Officer
WWF European Policy Office
amason@wwf.eu
+32 494 762 763
Sarah Azau
Media Manager
WWF European Policy Office
sazau@wwf.eu
+32 473 573 137
People's Climate March, Rome, Italy
© WWF Intl. / Antonio Amendola / The Stand
People's Climate March, Rome, Italy
© WWF Intl. / Antonio Amendola / The Stand
Related links
- Watch WWF’s joint press briefing with Greenpeace and CAN Europe on the climate law (Mon 2 March)
- See our media advisory on the climate law (Tues 3 March)
- Read the letter from 12 Member States calling for a rapid increase to the EU's 2030 climate target (Tues 3 March):
- See WWF and Greenpeace's 12 asks on the climate law (October 2019)