Austria advocates for a delayed finalization of the EU's climate goal for 2040

In a critical statement, Leonore Gewessler, chairman of the Green club in Austria, has accused the federal government of delaying the decision on an EU climate target. The Green party members have praised the EU for its pioneering role in climate protection and have urged swift action.

The upcoming UN climate summit COP30, scheduled for November in Brazil, will focus on the new climate target for 2035. The EU, along with several member countries including Austria, has decided to postpone the decision on the European climate target for 2040 from the next meeting of EU environment ministers in Brussels on September 18 to the EU summit at the end of October.

The Green party members have specifically named Hungary's prime minister, Viktor Orbán, and Slovakia's prime minister, Robert Fico, as climate change deniers who are obstructing the EU's climate target. They have demanded a positive decision on the EU climate goal by September 18th, urging the Austrian government to prevent these climate change deniers from undermining the vital climate law.

The European Council's decision, which is a decision by the heads of state and government, is of great concern to the Green party members. They have expressed their worry about the delay in the EU climate target decision, stating that time is of the essence and Europe is severely affected by the climate crisis.

The Austrian government, despite committing to climate neutrality for Austria by 2040, has not yet finalized its position on supporting the EU climate goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 90 percent by 2040. The government has requested a postponement of the EU decision to gain more time for internal consensus, despite some parties like SPÖ and NEOS already supporting the 90 percent reduction. This delay has sparked criticism from environmental groups.

The Green party members have emphasized the need for a positive decision on the EU climate target at the meeting of EU environment ministers on September 18th. However, they have not specified any new climate targets or emissions reductions goals. The next deadline for the EU is September 24: by then, the EU must submit its new climate target for 2035 to the United Nations according to the Paris Climate Agreement.

The EU has already set goals for greenhouse gas emissions before and after 2040. By 2030, the EU aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 percent compared to 1990, and by 2050, it aims to be climate-neutral. The discussion of the European Council's decision on the climate target for 2040 has been informed to the coalition partners in Austria.

The Green party members have criticized the Austrian government's policy on the EU climate target, stating that it has fatal effects and is backward. They have urged the government to take immediate action to support the EU's ambitious climate goals.