In a mostly symbolic move, the European Parliament declared a climate emergency. Nevertheless, it does increase pressure on member states to enact laws that are absolute in their determination to curb emissions. The declaration fell right in line with the commencement of COP25, which is currently taking place in Madrid (moved from Santiago, Chile, due to political unrest) until Dec 13, 2019.
Pascal Canfin (RE, FR), Chair of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety, said:
The European Parliament has just adopted an ambitious position in view of the upcoming COP 25 in Madrid. Given the climate and environmental emergency, it is essential to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 55% in 2030. It also sends a clear and timely message to the Commission a few weeks before the publication of the Communication on the Green Deal.
Why is this climate emergency call any more effective than all the others that have been declared in recent months? Because this one was passed and voted for by a parliament that represents over 500 million people, vs. the other declarations, which were by local or regional administrations. It means a whole lot more people are fighting the battle against climate change!
As reported in a press release:
The resolution on declaring a climate and environmental emergency was adopted with 429 votes for, 225 votes against and 19 abstentions. The European Parliament adopted the resolution on COP25 with 430 votes for, 190 votes against and 34 abstentions.
However, environmental campaigners proclaim the declaration needs to be backed by sufficient action, but as of yet, it is not. Sebastian Mang, Greenpeace’s EU climate policy adviser, said:
OUR HOUSE IS ON FIRE. The European parliament has seen the blaze, but it’s not enough to stand by and watch.
Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission’s president-elect, is now further pressured to act upon her pledge to increase efforts in the fight against climate change. She recently announced that Europe would be the “first continent to reduce emissions to net-zero by 2050.” So, targets have to become “more ambitious,” – which means cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Speaking about what she calls a European Green Deal, Leyen said:
If there is one area where the world needs our leadership, it is on protecting our climate. This is an existential issue for Europe — and for the world.
The first draft of a European Green Deal is to be presented after the European Commission takes office and then delivered within 100 days. It must ensure that all proposals are in line with the Paris Agreement target of 1.5°C. Furthermore, the EU should cut emissions by 55% by 2030 to hit the mark of climate neutrality by 2050.
Another call from the climate emergency declaration is to reduce worldwide emissions from aviation and shipping. The current ambitions in those industries fall short of the required emissions reductions. It was also proposed that the maritime sector be included.
Most urgently of all, the declaration calls on all EU countries to phase out all indirect and direct fossil fuel subsidies by next year.
All of this will cost money. Therefore, EU countries should increase their contributions by at least 50% to the international Green Climate Fund, Parliament said. Pledges for aid by developed countries should meet the collective goal of $100 billion yearly as of 2020, but at the moment, they are not.
