Austria’s defection leaves EU 2040 climate target on shaky ground
The EU’s last-mile talks on a 2040 climate target face fresh pressure as support for the 90% deal falters
Austria has said it can’t support the EU’s 2040 climate target bill in its current form, casting doubt on whether a majority in favour of the 90% proposal is possible despite months of negotiations.
Environment ministers are meeting on Tuesday to vote on the EU’s proposed 2040 climate target to slash emissions by 90% compared to 1990 levels – a text riddled with compromises aimed at overcoming concerns over the impact on industry and households.
However, with majorities delicate, every EU country counts on the way to gathering at least 15 member states representing 65% of the bloc’s population – making smaller countries like Austria pivotal.
Despite aiming to be climate-neutral by 2040, the country will not back the EU’s 90% target, Environment Minister Norbert Totschnig said. “We see room for correction.”
Austria comes with a list of six demands to safeguard domestic industry – demands which green MEP Lena Schilling said “have long since been fulfilled”.
The Danes, who currently chair EU meetings, have built their tentative majority on Germany, France, and Spain. But to reach the 65% threshold, there are three possible paths: winning support from Poland, Italy, or a coalition of smaller countries.
Vienna’s opposition has the potential to narrow the options, meaning there would be little chance of getting the legislation over the line without backing from Warsaw or Rome, throwing negotiations into peril.
Poland, which only sent junior minister Krzysztof Bolesta to the talks, has already said it can’t support the proposal – approval for a final deal could only come from Warsaw, Bolesta told reporters.
Italy’s energy minister, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, said he could not back the deal either, citing a lack of “indispensable” elements . His target: reversing the EU’s 2035 ban on sales of new diesel and petrol cars.
“It is essential for us to include a reference to sustainable biofuels for the road transport sector,” Fratin told his fellow ministers on Tuesday.
(aw, rh)
