Environment ministers from 10 EU countries have called on the European Commission to make European Green Deal legislation the blueprint for the bloc’s economic recovery from coronavirus.
The ministers are hoping the upcoming legislation will raise the Commission’s target of reducing emissions well above the current goal of 40% below 1990 levels by 2030, according to lobby group Climate Action Network.
“This is the only way to protect citizens and economies from another, ongoing and worsening crisis: climate change,” group director Wendel Trio said.
Trio said strong emissions reduction targets can help limit the increase in the effects of global warming to less 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels as set out in the 2016 Paris Agreement.
“To make our societies resilient to future shocks and our economies more sustainable, the Commission must set up a Paris-compliant economic recovery and put forward an ambitious climate target of at least 65% emissions cuts by 2030,” Trio added.
“Today’s tragedy is a chilling reminder that early and concerted action is needed to overcome collective threats including the dramatic costs of out-of-control climate change to our lives, well-being and economy,” he added.