Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) has cautioned the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU) against delaying a vote on a new EU climate target for 2040. Speaking to “Der Spiegel”, Schneider stated that obstructing the vote and postponing decisions risked a costly, isolated path for Germany.
The European Commission proposed in July a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent across the EU by 2040. The Environmental Ministers Council is slated to address the proposal on September 18th. However, there is currently a push to postpone the decision and bring the discussion to the level of heads of state and government.
Schneider emphasized that a majority vote, as planned within the ministerial council, is “the decisive prerequisite” to achieve an ambitious climate target within the EU. He argued that it is essential for implementing the clear coalition agreement on climate protection. The coalition agreement, signed by the CDU/CSU and SPD, supports the 2040 target pending certain conditions. He called on his governing partners to “work together” within the federal government to ensure a decision is reached at the next Environmental Ministers Council meeting.
Schneider asserted that the proposed target “perfectly aligns” with existing German goals and is even “in Germany’s economic and industrial policy interest”. He highlighted the German economy’s significant interest in progressing on climate protection “together in Europe” rather than alone.