Minister Mikkonen welcomes the Commission’s proposal on EU climate goal: A higher target is also in Finland’s interest
Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Krista Mikkonen welcomes the European Commission’s new climate objective. According to Mikkonen, the target to reduce emissions by at least 55% by 2030 is also in Finland’s interest.
“A higher EU target will help us achieve our own goals, level the playing field and create a market for the export of clean solutions,” says Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Krista Mikkonen.
“The emissions reduction of at least 55% is better aligned with the EU’s climate neutrality target and corresponds to what Finland has advocated together with other Member States pushing for more EU climate ambition,” Mikkonen adds.
The Commission’s proposal to tighten the EU’s climate targets was published in connection with President Ursula von der Leyen's speech on the State of the Union on Wednesday 16 September. The communication will be published in its entirety on Thursday 17 September. The communication will be complemented by a comprehensive impact assessment at EU level, which shows that reducing emissions by at least 55% is not only possible but also beneficial for the future of the EU.
“55% emission reductions for the EU by 2030 is a minimum, in our implementation we should aim for higher ambition. The low carbon transition can be accelerated by using EU recovery support for climate investments. We can create a cleaner environment, new jobs and promote green growth towards a climate neutral circular economy at the same time with economic recovery,” says Mikkonen.
At the moment, the EU is committed to reducing its emissions by at least 40% by 2030 compared to the levels in 1990. According to the Commission’s estimates, with current climate policy measures EU is already on a path to 47% reductions by 2030.
The EU’s emission reduction target is at the same time the EU’s contribution to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. In accordance with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, all parties must update their emission reduction targets by the end of 2020.
Member States will start negotiations as a result of the Commission’s proposal. The informal meeting of EU Ministers of the Environment and Climate Change will discuss the proposal in Berlin at the turn of the month.
“The European Union must show leadership in climate change mitigation, and it is important that we agree on a goal as soon as possible. By our example, we can influence other countries to set tighter climate targets. Finland will continue to work actively to achieve higher climate ambition both within the EU and internationally,” says Mikkonen.
Inquiries:
Riikka Yliluoma, Special Adviser to the Minister, tel. +358 295 250 091, [email protected]
Marjo Nummelin, Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 250 227, [email protected]