Residents of the European Union will have to pay for the greenhouse gases they emit while driving or heating their homes. This plan is part of the new package of measures to achieve Europe’s climate goals.
EU countries and the European Parliament (EP) have reached an agreement on the package of measures. The reasons of the Member States and the entire European Parliament still need to give their official approval before the plan is finalised.
Before 2030, CO2 emissions must be reduced by 55%, so that the EU can be completely “climate neutral” by 2050. New climate laws are “critical” according to EP and should make this possible .
Climate laws mainly focus on tightening up the CO2 certification system. In recent years, this system has required companies to apply for permits to emit greenhouse gases. Every year the EU issues fewer permits to reduce emissions. That system will be even stricter, in 2030 emissions will have to be reduced by 62 percent.
According to the plan, the same system should also be created for citizens and other businesses. They have to pay for their personal CO2 emissions. This is organized through energy companies and pumping stations. These companies also have to pay to be able to emit CO2. These costs are reflected in the price customers pay when they fill up with fuel or turn on the heat.
Fund of 86 billion euros to support the poor
For some people, this makes life even more expensive. But to contain costs they can count on a special fund. This way they can, for example, better insulate their home or switch to an electric car.
Due to current energy prices, this fund has been expanded to over 86 billion euros. EU countries can use that money to help people who are having trouble paying their bills.
Furthermore, the plan must prevent companies from going bankrupt or moving to other countries that have a less strict climate policy. That is why there should be a border tax on the import of a number of climate-damaging products such as steel and concrete.
CDA MEP Esther de Lange said she was “happy that a balanced agreement has been reached on the largest ever climate legislative package in the EU. With this agreement we are drastically reducing emissions in Europe, but in a socially responsible way. ” responsibly without harming European industry”.
