The ‘Fit for 55’ climate package was presented on Wednesday by the European Commission. It contains proposals for more ambitious emissions targets across the energy and transport sectors and an extended emissions trading system. This would contribute to the EU reaching the new 2030 climate target of reducing emissions by at least 55 per cent, compared with 1990 levels.
“The climate crisis is urgent and that’s why the proposal presented by the Commission today is important. The EU is now moving from targets to action and at the same time it’s showing the rest of the world what can be done, because the EU is leading the way on this,” says Minister for EU Affairs Hans Dahlgren.
The climate package also includes a clearer energy taxation system and proposals for a carbon border adjustment mechanism – a carbon border tax – to equalise the price on greenhouse gas emissions. It also entails stricter rules on carbon dioxide emissions from the maritime and aviation sectors and vehicles.
“This is a first important step towards the EU’s target of climate neutrality by 2050. Now we need to take a close look at the details of the proposal and then take part in the negotiations with other Member States to ensure that this will be as good as possible. But the approach to an overall transition to more sustainable production and consumption is totally right, both in the EU and the EU’s trading partners,” says Mr Dahlgren.
