German Green member of the European parliament Michael Bloss is expecting that a majority will vote for the bloc's proposed emission reduction 2040 target on 13 November in parliament, opening the way for discussions with member states and adoption "within the next weeks".
The European Parliament's environment committee voted yesterday on the bloc's 2040 climate target, approving a similar target to the one agreed by EU environment ministers last week, for a 90pc greenhouse gas emissions reduction from a 1990 baseline. The target includes the use of 5pc international carbon credits towards from 2036.
"In the [environment] committee, two-thirds of the [centre-right] EPP voted in favor and one-third against," he said. EPP is the European parliament's largest group. "We expect a majority of the EPP to vote in favor [in plenary]," he added, noting many "flaws" in the new target proposed were made to get the EPP on board. But the vote will send an important signal to the UN Cop 30 climate summit in Belem, Brazil, he said.
When the 2040 goal is adopted by the parliament on 13 November, members and EU diplomats can begin trilogue negotiations for the final legal text. And Bloss expects that only one meeting between parliament and EU negotiators will be needed because their positions are similar, although they will have to iron out the specificities of the international credits.
Bloss notes that a revision clause on the use of international carbon credits from 2036 would allow member states, which fail to meet their climate targets, to purchase an additional 5pc of international certificates.
"But it's unclear whether this 5pc would then essentially come from the 5pc that already exists, of if it's an additional 5pc or if it's 5pc relative to each country, meaning only 1pc in total," he said.
The postponement of the extension of emissions trading system for housing and heating fuels (ETS2), formally a part of the changes to the climate law to set the 2040 goal, also raises procedural and legal questions for Bloss.
