Environment activists pressure Minister Schneider to endorse the EU's objective of carbon neutrality by 2040. - EU parliamentary members from the Green party urge Environment Minister Schneider to collaborate in reaching the EU's climate goal by 2040.
In a recent development, a group of German politicians, led by the Greens, have raised concerns over the postponement of the EU's decision on a new climate target. The original plan was for the EU environment ministers to decide on this matter at a meeting scheduled for this Friday.
The Greens have accused Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) of being responsible for this delay. They argue that Merz's reluctance towards ambitious climate measures within the EU has cast doubt on his active support for the EU's 2040 climate target.
The EU's proposed target for 2040 is a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent, an intermediate step towards achieving greenhouse gas neutrality by 2050. This target is supported by climate science and the SPD parliamentary group leader, Matthias Miersch, has stated that the federal government supports this EU target.
However, the EU decision on this target is currently delayed due to a procedural dispute at the EU level. The Greens urge Environment Minister Carsten Schneider to proactively support the 2040 climate target of minus 90 percent and the derived EU climate contribution (NDC). They also criticize the German government for paving the way for the decision to be postponed to consultations of the EU heads of state and government instead.
Schneider, the environment minister, has been accused of caving in to Merz's pressure. The Greens demand that Schneider correct the breach of word and bring the 2040 EU climate target back to the European Council. They also call on Schneider to convince Merz to support the 2040 climate target proactively.
A compromise initial decision for 2035 instead of 2040 is being considered. However, this compromise has been met with criticism from the Greens, who argue that it weakens the EU's commitment to combat climate change.
Other countries such as Italy, France, and Poland have also advocated for the postponement. The Greens warn that a delayed decision could risk complicity in a possible failure of the EU climate target for 2040. They emphasize the importance of a strong EU commitment at the upcoming UN Climate Conference in Brazil in November 2021, where a unified EU stance is needed to lead global efforts.
In their letter, Badum and Gesenhues, members of the Greens, have called on Environment Minister Schneider to correct this postponement at the EU level. The future of the EU's climate target hangs in the balance, with the Greens urging Schneider to take decisive action to secure a strong EU commitment to combating climate change.
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