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The European Union announced that a series of climate change laws will be enacted towards the goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050.
07 Jul 2021EU Steps to Carbon Neutral Goal by Presenting 'Fit for 55' Package
More than 10 draft laws have been announced for approval by 27 EU member countries and the European Parliament. These include measures such as taxing aviation fuel and banning the sale of petrol and diesel cars within 20 years. However, negotiations are expected to last for months for these proposals to take their final form.
"Being carbon neutral" means that a person or institution carries out projects that will prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the amount of greenhouse gases released, in order to balance the greenhouse gases they emit and reach net zero greenhouse gases.
Sources speaking to AFP stated that while the latest changes were being made regarding the proposals, there were some serious conflicts in the European Commission, the executive body of the EU.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, "By acting now, we can do things differently… And choose a better, healthier and more prosperous future." "It is our generation's duty to ensure the well-being not only of our own generation but also of our children and grandchildren. Europe is ready to lead on this issue," the commission president added.
The proposed measures are expected to increase the price of flights within the EU as well as the natural gas bills of residences. It is stated that financial assistance will be provided for the insulation of residences.
Frans Timmermans, responsible for EU climate policies, stated that both citizens and industrialists have a responsibility in this regard and said, "We are doing this for good purposes. We are doing it to give humanity a fighting chance."
In addition to airline companies and automotive manufacturers, Eastern European countries, where coal has an important place in the industry, are also expected to react to these plans. Speaking to Reuters, an EU diplomat stated that the success of the package depends on it being realistic and socially fair, and not disrupting the economic balances, and said, "The aim is not to stop the economy but to take it to a new level."
Fit for 55 Package and Recommendations
The package, which is described as the most comprehensive measures offered by the EU against climate change, is called 'Fit for 55', with the goal of reducing carbon emissions by 55% from 1990 levels by 2030. The EU reached 24% in 2019.
Some suggestions included in the package are as follows:
- Further tightening emissions limits for cars (sales of new petrol and diesel-powered vehicles expected to end in 2035)
- Tax on aviation fuels, 10-year tax exemption on low-carbon alternatives
- Imposing higher taxes on manufacturers outside the EU for imports of products such as steel and concrete, in the name of carbon border tax
- Setting higher targets for increasing renewable energy within the EU
- Countries should take steps to renew problematic buildings more quickly in terms of energy saving
The EU Commission announced the road map for the target of reducing carbon emissions by 55% by 2030 last September, and announced that at least 30% of the EU's long-term budget of 1.8 trillion Euros would be spent on climate-related measures.
These targets and measures are considered as part of global efforts to reduce emissions that cause pollution in the atmosphere, especially carbon dioxide (CO2), within the scope of the fight against climate change.
The Paris Climate Agreement, signed in 2016, aims to limit global warming to below 2°C and preferably to 1.5°C in order to limit the negative effects of climate change.
Related Reports and Research
- Climate report published in the USA: China's greenhouse gas emissions are 'more than all developed countries'
- Greenpeace and WWF research: British financial sector ranks in top 10 in carbon emissions
- Climate crisis report: Crisis will hit the poor, the world is not ready
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