European Union energy ministers on Monday agreed on laws to save energy and promote renewable sources, as part of a package proposed by Brussels to tackle climate change by drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions. in this decade.
More details on the climate proposals will be discussed in further talks on Tuesday, with some diplomats worried that proposals such as a ban on oil and diesel cars by 2035 could end up being played down.
EU energy ministers will also discuss options to collectively reduce demand for natural gas, as the European Commission prepares to present a plan next month to coordinate measures for further Russian supply cuts amid the war in Ukraine.
“For the industry, we have to come up with a coordinated approach,” EU energy commissioner Kadri Simson said upon arriving at the meeting in Luxembourg, referring to measures to curb gas demand, adding that citizens would be “consumers protected” from such restrictions.
Ministers are trying to agree on common positions on proposed laws to meet a 2030 target to reduce emissions by 55% from 1990 levels.
But the threat of an economic downturn due to rising energy prices has left some countries wary of rapid changes they fear could bring further disruption.
Brussels proposed even higher targets last month, which ministers are expected to review later this year when they negotiate final laws with the EU parliament.
In a notable weakening of the proposals, a 2030 target to reduce primary energy consumption was made voluntary, rather than legally binding, at the request of Spain.
But countries also backed tougher rules proposed by Germany to ensure that each member state contributes to another mandatory target to reduce the EU’s final energy consumption.
Brussels says this year’s energy supply crisis caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine means the EU’s 27 countries must act even faster to get rid of fossil fuels.
Source: CNN Brasil
