The debate surrounding the European Union’s planned ban on internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles has intensified, with leading climate activists sharply criticizing recent comments from Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). Merz’s questioning of the feasibility and potential revision of the ban, a cornerstone of the EU’s climate strategy, has been branded as “fatal” by Fridays for Future (FFF) representative Carla Reemtsma.
Reemtsma expressed deep concern that such pronouncements create uncertainty within the automotive industry and risk re-introducing a reliance on polluting vehicles, thereby exacerbating the ongoing climate crisis. Her remarks came as Europe grapples with increasingly severe heatwaves, highlighting the urgency of climate action. The CDU’s apparent inclination towards appeasing the powerful automotive lobby, she argued, undermines the commitments made by the EU.
The existing “fleet emission targets” a critical component of the “Fit for 55” package, currently allow manufacturers to register new vehicles emitting up to 93.6 grams of CO2 per kilometer, with a phased reduction ultimately aiming for zero emissions by 2035, effectively prohibiting the sale of new ICE vehicles. This package was introduced to steer the EU towards a trajectory limiting global warming to just above 2 degrees Celsius.
The timing of the CDU’s questioning is particularly sensitive. A recent ruling from the International Court of Justice has established a legal precedent allowing states to be held liable for damages incurred if global warming exceeds the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold, introducing the potential for significant financial repercussions. Critics argue that backtracking on the ban constitutes a dangerous gamble with the EU’s climate goals and exposes the region to potentially devastating legal and economic consequences while undermining international commitments to mitigate climate change. The controversy underscores the ongoing political tension between environmental responsibility and the influence of powerful industrial interests in shaping EU policy.