In today’s vote on the European Parliament’s position on December’s COP24 climate summit, MEPs called for increasing the EU’s 2030 climate target to a 55 percent emission cuts compared to 1990 levels. This would bring European efforts closer to what is required for keeping temperature rise below 1.5oC, in line with the landmark IPCC report published earlier this month.
In reaction to the Parliament’s resolution adopted today, Wendel Trio, Director of Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe said:
“We are heartened that the Parliament is rising to the challenge of massively increasing emission cuts in line with the conclusions of the IPCC report. By asking to move to 55%, the Parliament shows real leadership on climate, building on the recent statements from EU governments to increase climate action by 2030. This decision should be another incentive for the EU to put its full weight behind the fight against climate change and commit to a much higher climate target at the all-important COP24 summit.”
To stay below 1.5°C, the EU will need to significantly increase its 2030 target, even beyond this 55% reduction, and ensure it achieves net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.
Earlier this year, 10 families and the Saami Youth Association, Sáminourra have taken the European Parliament and the Council to court to ask for significantly higher climate targets for 2030. They claim that the existing 2030 climate target is failing to protect them and their fundamental rights. Regarding the call from MEPs, the plaintiffs of the People’s Climate Case said:
Alfredo Sendim, Portuguese plaintiff of the People’s Climate Case said: “We live the impacts of climate change every day. Last week there was a hurricane in Portugal and this week there we are expecting snow. None of this is normal and hitting farmers, villagers very badly in the center of Europe. This resolution is very important in order to acknowledge that the EU must increase its 2030 target. Now, we need concrete actions. This is the only possible way to protect citizens from the worsening impacts of climate change. “
Maurice Feschet, French farmer and plaintiff of the People’s Climate Case said: “The EU decision makers finally admit that they need to revisit the 2030 climate target. The question that follows is “when?”. I am 72 years old grandfather who sued the EU to ask for climate protection for his children and grandchildren. It’s sure that I will not be here forever to listen political discourses. People impacted from climate change such as me and my family, need to see concrete climate actions urgently.”
ENDS
Contacts:
Ania Drazkiewicz, CAN Europe Head of Communications, ania@caneurope.org, +32 494 525 738
