Von der Leyen: “We must stay the course on our climate goals”

The president referred to the CO₂ emission reduction targets in 2040 as an intermediate step to achieve climate neutrality by 2050

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has assured that the EU is “firmly” on track to achieve a 55% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030 and has advocated maintaining climate and environmental objectives for scientific, economic and security imperatives.

“We must stay the course on our climate and environmental goals. The science is absolutely clear. And the economic and security argument is equally compelling,” said Von der Leyen in her opening speech to the European Parliament in the State of the Union Debate.

The German Christian Democrat added that this transformation has a “central” place in the EU’s aspiration to acquire more autonomy because it reduces “energy dependence” and generates “pioneering industries that can export solutions” to Africa, India or Central Asia.

“These are rapidly evolving markets and it is yet to be decided who will dominate those markets. It is we who can respond to this growing demand for solutions. But it is not guaranteed,” he said. Von der Leyen referred to the 2040 CO₂ emission reduction targets as an intermediate step towards achieving climate neutrality by 2050. Last July, the Commission proposed a 90% reduction, with flexibilities, which must still be approved by the Member States.

Continue reading news in El Periódico de la Energía