The European Parliament has voted to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90% compared to 1990 levels, using flexibility in reaching targets through carbon credits purchased outside the EU, sparking criticism from activists.
The European Parliament has passed a landmark decision to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 90% relative to 1990 levels. This sweeping commitment, which received a vote count of 413 in favor and 226 against, marks a significant shift in Europe's climate policy. However, the plan allows member states some leeway by permitting the use of carbon credits purchased from international sources, leading to concerns among environmental activists. They argue that this approach merely shifts the burden of climate action away from Europe and onto developing countries.
The implementation of this ambitious goal requires the endorsement of EU member states, which have been urged to finalize the agreement soon. To address the apprehensions of countries like Italy, the final text has incorporated a stipulation allowing for 5% of emissions reductions to be counted through these external carbon credits. Nevertheless, critics are wary that reliance on offsets could undermine the effectiveness of the EU's climate commitments. They fear that this could allow member states to sidestep meaningful local reductions by making payments for emissions reductions elsewhere.
Moreover, the deal includes a controversial delay for implementing emissions trading for the transport and heating sectors in Poland and Hungary, resulting from pressure on those nations during negotiations. The postponement until 2028 raises further questions about the EU's ability to enforce climate policies uniformly across its member states, a critical aspect of achieving cohesive climate action. The diverse reactions to the new commitment underline the tensions within the EU regarding climate responsibility and economic considerations.
