Finland calls for more stringent EU climate targets
According to the joint statement by 11 member states, the EU should commit to reduce emissions by at least 55% by 2030.
Finland is among the 11 EU Member States that support the new climate target proposed by the European Commission, which aims to reduce emissions by at least 55% by 2030.
The countries have issued a joint statement on the matter. Combating climate change is one of the topics on the agenda at the European Council meeting taking place on 15–16 October in Brussels.
According to the joint statement, the EU should commit to a target of at least 55% when the parties to the Paris Agreement update their emissions reduction targets by the end of this year.
"This would make it possible to achieve the objective of a climate-neutral EU by 2050, as agreed by the European Council in December 2019," the Finnish government said in a statement.
At the moment, the EU is committed to reducing its emissions by at least 40% by 2030 compared to the levels in 1990. But according to the Commission’s assessment, this target could be outperformed with the current measures.
Funds for the transition
With this in mind, the EU leaders who have signed the joint message feel it is possible to achieve a more stringent emissions reduction target in a socially just manner. Funds have been earmarked for this work in the EU’s multiannual financial framework and in the recovery instrument, which aims to boost recovery from the COVID-19 crisis and facilitate the transition to a carbon-neutral society.
The authors of the joint statement also point out that an ambitious climate policy will stimulate sustainable economic growth, create new jobs and improve global competitiveness.