The European Parliament has approved a comprehensive Climate Law that makes the reduction of air pollution in all EU countries legally binding. Greenhouse gas emissions must be cut by more than half within ten years to help slow global warming more quickly.
Parliament negotiators and the 27 EU countries already reached an agreement on this in April, which has now been enshrined in EU law. Previous EU rules aimed for a 40% reduction, but based on current measurements and research, this has been raised to 55%.
The European Commission will present concrete proposals on July 14 for renewable energy, reforms of the EU carbon market, and stricter CO2 standards for new cars. With this, the EU takes the next step from “Paris” to the Glasgow climate summit later this year. There, the international community must show how the words from Paris have been turned into action.
The European Parliament approved the law with 442 votes in favor, 203 against, and 51 abstentions. Right-wing groups voted against or abstained. They believe the EU should not impose such ‘obligations’ on member states.
The Greens said the law was not ambitious enough and voted against it, aligning themselves with the far-right Identity and Democracy group (ID) and the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR). United Left was also strongly opposed to the legislation. They believe that the agreements made with ministers and government leaders are still far too vague and feel the EU is doing too little against the ‘depletion of the earth’.
“I find it sad that the Greens, at this historic step for climate protection, stand shoulder to shoulder with the right and radical left, and do not acknowledge 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 and added: “I respect those who say it’s not enough, that we should do more […] but I do not understand how that can 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 law.