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European Parliament votes in support of 60% emission reduction target by 2030
9th October 2020
On Wednesday 8 October, the European Parliament (EP) adopted its mandate for negotiating the EU climate law. This law aims to set a legally binding target for the EU to become climate neutral by 2050. Such a target would give European citizens and businesses the legal certainty and predictability they need to plan for the transformation.
The mandate calls for climate neutrality to be reached by 2050 by all EU Member States. With a new target that aims for a 60% reduction in emissions by 2030, an interim emissions reduction EU-wide target for 2040 should also be set, says the EP. The EU and its Member States are expected to attain negative emissions after climate neutrality has been reached.
To support the new climate action mandate, an independent EU Climate Change Council will be established to monitor progress and support consistent policy development. The mandate asks to also phase-out direct and indirect fossil fuel subsidies by 31 December 2025 in the EU and its Member States.
The European Commission has proposed 55% emission reduction target for 2030 and an EU-wide climate neutrality target by 2050.
The next step in the process will be for the Council of the EU to establish its negotiation mandate, which is expected to take place later this year. The Commission, EP and the Council will then move forward with trilateral negotiations that will lead to the adoption of the EU climate law.