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Spain urges the adoption of the EU’s emission reduction target for 2040 as soon as possible

by AI | 17.Dec 2024 | Europe in brief AI

Trust that the 27 will agree “without surprises” on the rules to prevent spills of plastic pellets.

The Minister for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, Sara Aagesen, addresses the media, at the headquarters of the Government Delegation in the Valencian Community, on December 5, 2024, in Valencia, Valencian Community (Spain). Photo: Rober Solsona / Europa Press

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Brussels – The Third Vice President of the Government of Spain and Minister for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, Sara Aagesen, urged on Tuesday to adopt “as soon as possible” the EU’s target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040 compared to 1990 levels with binding targets for renewable energies.

“We need targets for 2040 and the sooner the better,” Aagesen emphasized in statements to the media upon her arrival at the EU’s Environment Ministers meeting taking place this Tuesday in Brussels, where they will address this recommendation from the Commission.

The Spanish Vice President also highlighted that this target should be accompanied by the clean industry pact announced by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. “They must go together because both are an opportunity for the European economy,” Aagesen pointed out.

Asked about the request from some Member States to delay this emissions reduction target, the minister gave a clear response: “no way”. “We need a concrete proposal and if we delay decisions this will cause enormous damage,” she warned.

On the other hand, the ministers will also seek to reach an agreement on new rules to prevent plastic pellet spills like the one that affected the Galician coast last January, from which Spain took advantage to force the inclusion of the maritime sector in the scope of the regulation, something that was not foreseen in the initial proposal of the European Commission.

“This is a fundamental regulation in which Spain has been very vocal in including maritime transportation in its scope,” explained Aagesen, who hopes that the Twenty-Seven can adopt their position this Tuesday “without surprises” to initiate negotiations with the European Parliament in the first half of 2025. (December 17)

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