EU Climate Goals - Gewessler Sees Departure from "Path of Ambition"

Following the presentation of the EU climate targets on Wednesday, the Greens once again warned of loopholes and a weakening of climate protection. At the same time, party leader and climate protection spokesperson Leonore Gewessler sharply criticized the federal government. It has "abandoned the path of ambition" and is primarily "using a wrecking ball" in terms of budget for climate protection, she said at a press conference in Vienna on Thursday.

Gewessler sees "U-turn"

Environment and Climate Minister Norbert Totschnig (ÖVP) is currently making a "U-turn," focusing "only on diluting, leveling down, and finding loopholes in the 90-percent target," criticized Gewessler. Now looking for ways out that undermine the ambitions of recent years - Gewessler was the climate protection minister in the turquoise-green federal government from 2020 to 2025 - is "a big mistake," emphasized the Green Party leader. The Greens will therefore continue to "apply pressure so that Austria does not permanently align itself with the blockers and obstructers."

The Greens see loopholes, for example, in the possibility of international certificate trading, which allows domestic CO2 emissions to be offset with climate protection projects abroad, but also in the storage of carbon dioxide (CO2). The latter should only be allowed for certain sectors, such as the cement industry, demanded Gewessler. Technologies like CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) are not a solution for the overall lack of climate protection measures. "We should also stop selling this as a miracle solution," said the former climate protection minister with a view to the ÖVP.

Removal of CO2 emissions according to Totschnig "important measure"

Climate Minister Totschnig described the extraction of CO2 emissions in the Ö1 morning journal as an "important measure" needed in an energy-intensive economy. "The closer we get to the interim target, the higher the costs for CO2 certificates will naturally be, and I think it's good to have alternatives (...), because in the end, climate is a global issue and on the other hand, we need a competitive, strong economy that also needs flexibility (...)," said Totschnig.

The trade with certificates has often led to a "big air number" in the past, Gewessler expressed criticism of the EU Commission's draft. It is much more important to invest in renewable energies, in the circular economy, and future technologies - "and not billions abroad in certificates." This will also ensure the future viability of the domestic industry.

Green EU Member Lena Schilling, who is negotiating the 2040 climate target for the Greens/EFA group, emphasized the economic sense of reducing emissions by 90 percent by 2040. "Those who invest in renewables, green steel, or battery technology now strengthen Europe's competitiveness and independence," she said in a statement. It is not just about environmental policy, but about planning security for companies, investment protection, and Europe's credibility on the international stage. Gewessler particularly mentioned the role of China in this context, which, before the next World Climate Conference (COP30) in Brazil, will increasingly look at and orient itself towards EU climate policy and its goals.

"It's about fighting for every EVP vote"

Currently, some EU member states in Europe are slowing down, Schilling said, but only mentioned France as a specific example. According to Gewessler, it is crucial how the European People's Party (EVP), to which the ÖVP also belongs, will position itself. Within the EVP, the largest in the European party family, there are indeed different views on EU climate policy. "It's about fighting for every EVP vote," said Gewessler. In Austria, she also sees SPÖ and NEOS as having a duty to fight for an "ambitious positioning" and for the 90-percent target without loopholes.

(APA/Red)

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