EU Agrees To Cut CO2 Emissions By 37.5% By 2030

The European Union agreed on Monday night to a goal of reducing carbon emissions from cars by 37.5 per cent in a decade, putting an end to months of fierce negotiations.

Reuters reports that an agreement was reached between representatives of the European Parliament and the 28 nations of the EU after nine hours of talks. The goal calls for emissions of cars to be cut by 37.5 per cent and vans by 31 per cent by 2030 compared with 2021.

An agreement was also reached on an interim target of a 15 per cent cut for both cars and vans by 2025.

The finalized goal comes just a week after talks between the nations of the European Union appeared to fall through.

The CO2 emissions reduction will help the EU reach its Paris Agreement targets.

“This is an important signal in our fight against climate change,” said current EU president Austria’s Sustainability Minister Elisabeth Koestinger.

Not all nations of the EU were pushing for a 37.5 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions. For example, Germany had endorsed a reduction of 30 per cent compared to 2021. On the other hand, countries including the Netherlands and France, had endorsed a target of 35 per cent. The EU Parliament wanted a 40 per cent reduction. In the end, a compromise was reached.

“Today’s successful outcome is even more important in view of this weekend’s conclusions… in Katowice. It clearly shows, once again, our unwavering commitment to the Paris Agreement,” EU Climate Commissioner Arias Canete said.

Germany has previously warned that tough targets could harm its car industry and cost jobs.