The European Parliament has passed a sweeping Climate Law that makes the reduction of air pollution binding in all EU countries. Greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced by more than half in ten years' time in order to slow down global warming more quickly.
Negotiators from Parliament and the 27 EU countries already reached an agreement on this in April, which is now laid down in EU law. Previous EU rules still assumed a reduction of 40%, but that has been increased to 55% based on current measurements and studies.
The European Commission will now come forward on July 14 with concrete proposals for renewable energy, reforms to the EU carbon market and stricter CO2 standards for new cars. With this, the EU takes the next step from 'Paris' to the climate summit in Glasgow, later this year. There, the international community must show how the words of Paris have been translated into action.
The European Parliament approved the law with 442 votes in favour, 203 against and 51 abstentions. Right-wing groups voted against or abstained. They believe that the EU should not impose such 'obligations' on EU countries.
The Greens said the bill was not ambitious enough and voted against it, joining the far-right Identity and Democracy Group (ID) and the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR). The United Left also strongly opposed the legislation. They believe that the agreements with ministers and government leaders are still far too non-committal, and that the EU does too little against 'depletion of the earth'.
“I am saddened that the Greens are standing shoulder to shoulder with the right and the radical left in this historic move for climate protection, and fail to recognize the dramatic progress we are making here,” said Peter Liese, shadow rapporteur for the Christian Democratic European People's Party (EPP). ).
Environment Commissioner Frans Timmermans defended the European Commission's analysis, adding: "I respect those who say that it is not enough, that we should do more […] but I do not understand how that could lead to a negative vote on this tightened climate law.” Other parties in the European Parliament have also heavily criticized the Greens for their opposition to the climate bill.