That EU wants to make progress at the World Climate Conference on plans for a global exit from coal, oil and gas – and has presented its own draft text at the final stage of negotiations. It is essential that the desired plan be ambitious and comprehensive, said Dutch EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra in Belém, Brazil. “And we must ensure that not only European countries, but as many other countries as possible can support this roadmap. That’s why we put forward our own proposal.”
Regardless of what is decided to adapt to the climate crisis, clarity regarding coal, oil and gas phase-out procedures “is in our view a determining factor in the success of this conference,” Hoekstra said. Therefore we decided to work even harder in this regard. The EU also stated that the countries’ current climate protection plans are far from enough to stop global warming at 1.5 degrees.
Aims to create a roadmap for the gradual elimination of coal, oil and gas
The day before, Germany and dozens of other states had campaigned in Belem to create a roadmap away from oil, gas and coal – now the EU as a group of countries has followed suit. Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD) said this was about “freeing ourselves” from fossil fuels. However, rich Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia, which continues to make billions of dollars from oil and gas, rejected the plan in Belem.
Hoekstra emphasized that it is important to consider not only the proposed shift away from coal, oil and gas in the plan, but also what was decided at the climate conference in Dubai two years ago: At that time, it was agreed to double the capacity of renewable energy by 2030 and double the rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
The presenter also wants to present a new text
The Brazilian hosts are eager to present a draft of the new text for the final document. It will then become clear whether the EU proposal will prevail and gain approval from other groups of countries.
At the same time, there is also debate in the EU about weakening climate protection; a phase-out of new combustion engines across the European Union after 2035 is at stake. The EU Commission has announced that it will review the target this year.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:251120-930-315587/1
