EU climate goals must, according to Slovenia, be based on scientific findings
Brussels – The EU’s climate goals, which are being discussed by the environmental ministers of the member states, must be based on scientifically grounded findings and the Paris climate agreement, said Slovenian Minister for the Environment, Climate and Energy Bojan Kumer on the sidelines of the meeting.
“For Slovenia, it is crucial to highlight scientifically grounded findings, while there must still be a direct link to the Paris Agreement,” Kumer said regarding the statement on the framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the EU by 2035 during the meeting.
The Danish presidency of the EU Council has begun coordinating a so-called declaration of intent after it became clear that it would not be possible to reach an agreement among the member states at this meeting on including a target for reducing emissions by 2040 in the EU climate law, which would also determine the so-called nationally determined contribution (NDC) of the EU to reducing emissions by 2035 under the Paris climate agreement.
However, the EU is almost certainly going to miss the deadline for submitting the NDC to the United Nations, which expires on September 30, as leaders of the member states will discuss changes to the climate law before the final decision of the EU Council at the summit in Brussels on October 23. The EU will only be able to adopt a climate target for 2040 after that, based on which it will set a target for 2035.
In Kumer’s opinion, “there is nothing wrong” with discussing climate policies at the highest level, as they will also impact all other policies. He emphasized that the delay in submitting the contribution will not affect the ambition of the target.
During the meeting, he expressed support for a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 compared to 1990, while also emphasizing the need to establish a comprehensive support framework. This includes clear legislation and a fair distribution of financial resources, primarily revenues from the emissions trading system (ETS), which must remain with the member states. (September 18)
