Germany submits energy plan to EU

Germany submitted its ten-year energy and climate plan to the European Union (EU) on Thursday, six months after the deadline to do so, lending long-awaited support to the European Commission’s plan to design a tougher 2030 emissions goal for the bloc.

The EU’s executive Commission plans to propose a more ambitious 2030 climate target in September, to put the bloc on track to slash its net greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050.

The Commission is assessing two possible 2030 targets – either a 50 per cent or a 55 per cent emissions cut against 1990 levels – and uses climate plans submitted by each member state to decide what would be realistic.

Germany, the largest emitter in Europe, handed Brussels its climate plan on Thursday. Ireland is the only EU country that has not submitted its plan to Brussels.

The plan, adopted by the German government on Wednesday, contains its national goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 55 per cent by 2030 and measures to deliver this aim, such as launching carbon pricing for transport and buildings next year.

However some have cast doubt on whether the German measures will actually meet the target, including a study by consultancy Prognos commissioned by the German Finance Ministry.

The Commission is expected to propose a 55 per cent emissions-cutting goal for 2030, but must agree the EU goal with member states and lawmakers.

Sweden’s Jytte Guteland, the lawmaker leading talks on the issue in the European parliament, wants a 65 per cent cut in emissions by 2030, while countries including the Czech Republic have said anything above the EU’s current target, for a 40 per cent emissions reduction by 2030, is not achievable. (Reuters)