EU confirms support for end of sales of internal combustion engine cars by 2035

“The most ambitious legislation in the world and a political victory to achieve our climate goals,” the Minister for the Environment and the current head of the EU celebrated, Angès Pannier-Runacher. “It’s a long but good day for climate action: the Council’s resolutions on Compliance with 55 are a big step towards complying with the European Green Deal,” said the Commission Vice-President. Frans TimmermannsReminding that the abandonment of fossil fuels is even more urgent after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Last Tuesday, the Twenty-Sevens table featured: five key elements The climate package includes: review of the greenhouse gas emissions rights trading system, new way of sharing effort, review of greenhouse gas emissions and removals from land use and forestry, review of CO2 emissions standards for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, and a new social climate fund.

The final deal doesn’t touch the big numbers or targets proposed by Brussels. First, end commercialization combustion engine vehicles A date when countries like Italy, Portugal, Bulgaria, Romania or Slovakia want to delay it for five years, but which ultimately remains unchanged – the same date as the date set by the European Parliament – i.e. from 2035 onwards, they will no longer sell new petrol or diesel cars, only zero emission vehicles like electricity or hydrogen. The standard also sets an interim target to reduce CO2 emissions by 55% for vehicles and 50% for pickup trucks by 2030. In addition, Brussels will have to review progress in 2026, taking into account technological developments, including hybrid technologies, and the feasibility and impact of the transition.

Less money for the fund

The agreement includes reform. emissions trading system Emissions from approximately 11,000 industrial plants and the aviation sector have been taxed since 2005. Under the agreement, the emissions covered will need to be reduced by 61% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. The idea is also to expand the system and cover the maritime sector – albeit with concessions for smaller islands and the outermost regions – and a similar trend in buildings and transport from 2027. putting the system into practice. It’s an initiative aimed at promoting cleaner alternatives that are creating tensions because of the bill it can bring to homes and the risk of sparking new movements like the yellow vests in France.

To counter the resistance of some Member States and offset the extra cost, the plan is to introduce a new Social Fund for ClimateTo support the most vulnerable countries in their ecological transition and to combat energy poverty, which will be financed in part through the emissions trading system. However, the total volume of this fund, much lower than recommended Instead of the €72,000 million originally proposed by Brussels by the European Commission, the final deal includes some 59 billion. A crop in which it is finally possible to satisfy the Scandinavian countries, Germany or the Netherlands, who find the initial amount too high and struggle to cut it all the way through.