Ecopreneur.eu supports raising the EU’s emissions reduction target for 2030

Brussels, 15 April 2020. Ecopreneur.eu, the European Sustainable Business Federation, supports the Commission’s initiative to raise the EU’s emissions reduction target for 2030.

First of all, we strongly support the EU leaders backing a ‘green transition’ in a pandemic recovery plan. Ecopreneur.eu also welcomes the EU’s emergency response actions to address the economic and social consequences, including support for the private sector, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs). As dramatic as the current crisis is, it also offers a possibly unique opportunity to give a strong green emphasis to all Covid-19 emergency funds. Emergency funds must be used to support the rise of the new economy, not strengthen the lock-in of the old economy. Social measures need to be taken in order to avoid that economy transition would harm the weakest. We also urge the EU to introduce an ambitious floor to the carbon price and go full speed ahead with implementation of the Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP) – taking into account Ecopreneur.eu’s 11 key missing measures.

An updated emissions reduction target should be at least 55 per cent in order to put Europe on track for climate neutrality by 2050. This target is both technically and economically feasible and will strengthen the case for businesses to take action and scale up investments without delay. Businesses are already adopting targets in line with the science of climate change and in support of climate neutrality by 2050, recognising the economic opportunities associated with the transition. The transition should also be socially just and maximise the health co-benefits of climate action.

Ecopreneur’s full response to the 2030 Climate Target Plan Roadmap can be viewed here.