As many as 82 countries called for a clear roadmap toward the phase-out of fossil fuels at the global climate summit COP30 in Brazil—but the European Union, which aims to lead by example in the global push to net zero, was not among these.
At the summit in Belem, Brazil, many EU countries backed the 82-nation-strong push to ditch fossil fuels, but the EU-27 did not formally support the initiative as such backing needs the unanimous approval of all 27 member states, Politico reports.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the energy crisis felt in many EU member states, the EU’s internal cohesion has faltered as some countries have prioritized energy security and affordability to near-term sustainability targets.
Some northwest EU member states expressed support to the COP30 initiative, but there was no unanimous EU backing.
“This is completely in the EU interest,” Jennifer Morgan, the former climate envoy for Germany, told Politico.
“So I’m quite puzzled that there are evidently a couple of member states that are nervous about this,” Morgan added.
Wopke Hoekstra, the EU Climate Commissioner, told Politico, commenting on the COP30 initiative, “Our energy transition in the EU is a transitioning away from fossil fuels on which we have been doing a lot and will continue to do so. It is great others see the merit in this as well.”
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Earlier this month, the EU proposed, and the European Parliament backed, flexibilities in the EU’s interim 2040 climate goals.
The target of a 90% reduction in net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, compared to 1990 levels, combines competitiveness and security, said Lars Aagaard, Denmark’s minister for climate, energy and utilities.
The flexibility allows EU member states to outsource 5% of the reduction target to countries outside the bloc via so-called carbon credits.
The EU Parliament approval means that it is now ready to start negotiations with member states on the final shape of the law.
By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com
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