Did the “climate march” succeed in shifting the lines?
It’s too soon to say, but a few signals—insufficient, of course, and too timid, obviously—are heading in the right direction.
Parliament votes for a 55% reduction in emissions by 2030.
We are more in the realm of perspective than action. However, it’s important to understand that the changes required can only occur over the long term.
To say or pretend otherwise would be pure illusion and intellectual dishonesty, even though some politicians, seeking easy consensus, are stoking the flames recklessly.
During the plenary session of Parliament in Strasbourg, European deputies supported a non-binding resolution for the European Commission’s climate plan project for 2050. 369 deputies voted in favor of the resolution, 116 voted against, and 40 abstained.
The text mainly called for an upward revision of the EU’s 2030 targets, from 40% to 55%. MEPs have gradually revised their targets upwards after the publication of a UN report. However, this did not prevent most members of the center-right EPP (European People’s Party) from voting against the higher revision of the 2030 target.
Data from the European Commission published last year revealed that the EU is currently working towards a 45% reduction in greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, and others). The resolution urges member states to do the same since it is the national leaders who will have the final say over the Commission’s plans.
The resolution also concluded that only the two most ambitious scenarios were feasible and invited the future European Commission to present a legislative proposal by 2022-2024.
