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In a move that may not be as radical as most believe is needed, but definitely an improvement over current policy, the European Union has now agreed a law that effectively bans new petrol and diesel cars in its 27 countries as of 2035:
EU officials have recently been working on a variety of new European laws and regulations to combat climate change ahead of the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Egypt next month. Yesterday, a deal was agreed between negotiators from national governments, the European Parliament, and the European Commission on a 100% reduction of CO2 emissions from car manufacturing. This is expected to speed up energy exchange in transportation, thus helping combat climate change.
To the same end, the deal also includes a 55% cut in CO2 emissions for new cars sold from 2030 onwards, much more ambitious than the existing target of a 37.5% reduction. Germany's Volkswagen had preemptively responded by declaring it will only produce electric cars in Europe from 2033.
Other agreements being worked on ahead of COP27 include expanding the union's CO2 absorption via "sinks" like forests and wetlands, and setting binding national emissions-cutting goals. Overall, the policy reform proposals are supposed to ensure Europe reaches its goal to cut net emissions by 55% by 2030 as compared to 1990 levels.
Scientists believe humanity needs to cut emissions by 45% by the end of the decade in order to reach the Paris Agreement's goal of less than a 1.5°C increase in temperature before the end of the century, itself controversial in environmentalist groups for not going far enough in combating climate change. Currently, we are heading towards a 2.5°C increase, which will incur disastrous consequences if left unchecked. If the EU does indeed manage to cut emissions by 55% by 2030, it will have gone beyond the goals set by the Paris Agreement. While it is up for debate whether that is enough still, it is definitely an improvement from current policies and plans.
Now we will have to see if they can deliver!
EU approves effective ban on new fossil fuel cars from 2035
The European Union struck a deal on Thursday on a law to effectively ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035, aiming to speed up the switch to electric vehicles and combat climate change.
www.reuters.com
EU officials have recently been working on a variety of new European laws and regulations to combat climate change ahead of the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Egypt next month. Yesterday, a deal was agreed between negotiators from national governments, the European Parliament, and the European Commission on a 100% reduction of CO2 emissions from car manufacturing. This is expected to speed up energy exchange in transportation, thus helping combat climate change.
To the same end, the deal also includes a 55% cut in CO2 emissions for new cars sold from 2030 onwards, much more ambitious than the existing target of a 37.5% reduction. Germany's Volkswagen had preemptively responded by declaring it will only produce electric cars in Europe from 2033.
EU seeking deals on three climate laws in time for U.N. summit
The European Union is aiming to clinch deals on three new laws to fight climate change in time for the annual United Nations climate negotiations next month, in a bid to boost its political clout at the talks.
www.reuters.com
EU countries agree to hike climate change target next year
European Union countries agreed on Monday to raise their target to curb greenhouse gas emissions under the Paris climate agreement next year, as the bloc attempts to rally ambition among major emitters ahead of this year's U.N. climate talks.
www.reuters.com
Other agreements being worked on ahead of COP27 include expanding the union's CO2 absorption via "sinks" like forests and wetlands, and setting binding national emissions-cutting goals. Overall, the policy reform proposals are supposed to ensure Europe reaches its goal to cut net emissions by 55% by 2030 as compared to 1990 levels.
Scientists believe humanity needs to cut emissions by 45% by the end of the decade in order to reach the Paris Agreement's goal of less than a 1.5°C increase in temperature before the end of the century, itself controversial in environmentalist groups for not going far enough in combating climate change. Currently, we are heading towards a 2.5°C increase, which will incur disastrous consequences if left unchecked. If the EU does indeed manage to cut emissions by 55% by 2030, it will have gone beyond the goals set by the Paris Agreement. While it is up for debate whether that is enough still, it is definitely an improvement from current policies and plans.
Now we will have to see if they can deliver!