Austria Wants to Slow Down EU Climate Target 2040

"The fight against climate change has many facets. The question for us in Europe is how we can manage to combine ambitious climate goals with our pursuit of a strong and competitive location," said the Federal Chancellery regarding the EU climate target 2040. Therefore, it should not be surprising that numerous member states and Austria would advocate for the involvement of heads of state and government. It is "not just an isolated climate or environmental policy decision."

EU Climate Target 2040: "Intra-Austrian Position Finding Not Completed"

The intra-Austrian position finding is not yet completed, the Chancellery emphasized - with the SPÖ and NEOS having already positioned themselves and pushing for a reduction of emissions by at least 90 percent. "The federal government has committed to the goal of climate neutrality for Austria by 2040 in its government program. It is therefore only consistent to also advocate for a reduction of emissions by at least 90 percent at the EU level," said the SPÖ to the "Standard" (online). Similarly, the NEOS: "We Neos support the Commission's proposal to reduce the EU's net greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent by 2040 compared to 1990 levels."

The involvement of the European Council is a decision of the head of government; the coalition partners have been informed, according to the Federal Chancellery. The environment ministers are supposed to vote by majority decision at their upcoming meeting according to the agenda; a positive result had been expected. The postponement to the level of heads of state and government demanded at the meeting of EU ambassadors on Wednesday means a decision with unanimity.

The EU Commission wants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union by 90 percent by 2040 compared to 1990, according to its proposal presented at the beginning of July. More flexibility was also promised. The targets for before and after are already set: By 2030, the EU wants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 percent compared to 1990, and become climate neutral by 2050. The next deadline is September 24: By then, the EU must submit its new climate target for 2035 to the United Nations under the Paris Climate Agreement. This is also the major topic at the upcoming UN Climate Summit COP30 in November in Brazil.

Criticism from the Greens and GLOBAL 2000

"We have no time to lose - and yet this federal government is doing everything to delay the decision for an EU climate target. Especially just before the World Climate Conference, the effects of this backward policy are fatal. The EU has so far been a leader in climate protection," criticized the Green parliamentary group leader Leonore Gewessler in a statement. "We see at every summit how the Putin friend (Hungary's Prime Minister, ed.) Viktor Orbán blocks everything. Anyone who believes that a climate target can be decided with Viktor Orbán is either deluded or is deliberately trying to torpedo the EU climate target," said Lena Schilling, shadow rapporteur of the Greens in the European Parliament for the EU climate target.

"We have no understanding for further delays. Time is pressing, we need a rapid decision on the EU climate targets by 2040. Chancellor (Christian) Stocker and Environment Minister (Norbert) Totschnig (both ÖVP, ed.) must not allow climate change deniers like Orbán and (the Slovak Prime Minister Robert, ed.) Fico to destroy the vital climate law. Europe is enormously affected by the climate crisis, so we need a positive decision on September 18," also demanded GLOBAL 2000 climate spokesperson Johannes Wahlmüller.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.