The European Union countries are more than a new goal to combat climate change

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Brussels, on September 13 / WAM / European Union countries postponed their plans to adopt a new goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, after objections from some governments, most notably France and Germany, to accelerate the conclusion of a final agreement, according to what three European diplomats confirmed.

On September 18, environmental ministers of the Union were to agree to a binding goal to reduce the net European Union emissions by 90% by 2040 compared to the levels of 1990, while allowing part of this reduction to be covered by purchasing carbon balances from abroad. However, the ambassadors of the union countries decided, during a closed meeting on Friday, to cancel the vote and postpone the file until a later time, amid fears of the failure to reach a comprehensive consensus.

This step comes at a time when Europe faces increasing pressure to confirm its commitment to the path of carbon neutrality by 2050, especially after climatic changes made the continent fastest global warming, which was manifested in deadly free waves, standard forest fires and devastating floods, the last of which was in the Valencia region of Spain.

While countries such as Denmark, Spain and the Netherlands support the ambitious goal, opposed by other countries, including France, Poland and Italy, demanding that it be transferred to the table of European Union leaders who will meet next October. This increases the difficulty of reaching an agreement, as leaders make their decisions unanimously, unlike the ministers.

In an attempt to win the support of conservative countries, diplomats are studying alternative options, including expanding the role of carbon assets in reaching the goal, or linking the agreement to amendments to other European legislation such as carbon tax on imports, or the deadline scheduled for 2035 to ban internal combustion engines.

The German Ministry of Environment explained that Berlin initially supports the goal of reducing emissions by 90%, but it sees the need to discuss the file at the level of government leaders before approving any agreement.

This delay threatens the European Union to miss the mid -September deadline set by the United Nations to provide new climate plans in preparation for the Climate Summit “COP 30” scheduled for November, which may weaken the negotiating position of the European Union in international forums.