Further analysis into the impact of tougher climate goals on EU member states is needed before Poland can sign up to the European Commission’s proposed 55% greenhouse gas reduction target for 2030, a senior Polish minister has said.
“In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact, the Commission proposal on the 2030 target, as well as its effects on the member states, requires in-depth analysis,” said Michał Kurtyka, Poland’s Minister of Climate and Environment.
“We are lacking this information as we do not know what an increased target means for member states, for regions, and for sectors,” he added in a video address opening a EURACTIV debate on Tuesday (17 November).
The European Commission has proposed a 55% emissions reduction target by 2030, branding climate action and the European Green Deal as the EU’s “new growth strategy.” The European Parliament, for its part, voted for a 60% emissions reduction target.
The European Council, the body bringing together the EU’s 27 heads of states and government, held the first discussion on the 2030 climate plan during a summit in October.
But EU leaders delayed their decision until December after several Eastern countries, led by Poland, refused to sign up and pushed for summit conclusions inviting the Commission to “conduct in-depth consultations with member states” to assess their specific national situations.
EU leaders on Thursday (15 October) said they will decide on a more stringent climate target for 2030 at a summit in December, leaving more time to forge a united European response to climate change.
Poland digs in heels
One month after the October summit, little progress has been made, with Poland still digging in its heels on the EU’s proposed 2030 climate plan.
“We do not want to enforce radical changes without the full view of the consequences,” Kurtyka insisted, saying EU countries have different energy systems and national circumstances that need to be taken into account.
“A fair distribution of costs and benefits” must be ensured in the transition, Kurtyka stressed, saying the EU’s “credibility in the implementation of climate policy” was at stake as Europe goes through an unprecedented economic recession caused by the COVID-19 crisis. …snip…
Warsaw and Budapest continue to oppose a rule-of-law mechanism that would allow EU funds to be suspended in case EU values are breached or when money is mishandled.
Speaking at the EURACTIV event, a senior EU official said discussions with EU countries were still in progress. “They are fruitful and in-depth discussions,” said Clara de la Torre, deputy director-general at the Commission’s climate department.
In his video address, Kurtyka said EU climate targets had to be ambitious but realistic at the same time while ensuring coal regions and workers are not left behind.
Read rest at EurActiv
The Green New Deal is a Scam its Snake Oil and Gore is the Con Man who along with his partner Leonardo DiCaprio is selling this fake cure for no existing problem
Poland is undermining the basic way the climate change movement operates. That is to make binding commitments with no idea of the consequences. With 80 percent of its power currently coming from coal, EU’s proposed 2030 climate plan would have severe consequences for Poland. Dave O is right. No matter how long they analyze the 2030 plan, they are not going to get an answer that they like.
It will take until about 2030 to do the economic analysis. That is because they will keep getting answers they don’t like, and even when twisting and outright lying, they will have to keep going back to the drawing board to re-do the analysis. Guess what? It just doesn’t make sense.
How is it that Poland is the only EU country with common sense?
The Green New Deal is a Scam a total scam and therefore should be dumped into the toxic waste pit