EU climate neutrality goal not negotiable amid pandemic - lawmakers

(Reuters, 4 May 2020) Lawmakers said that the bloc must remain on track to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

European Union lawmakers said on Monday the coronavirus pandemic should not soften the bloc's long-term climate goals, although some called for a "beefed up" fund to help coal-dependent regions move towards a greener economy.

Europe is facing a recession and governments are pumping out cash to keep economies afloat. Still, the EU's executive Commission has pledged not to roll back its climate ambitions.

The EU will use its "Green Deal" – a policy package centred around a target to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050 – to drive the bloc's economic recovery from the pandemic, Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has said.

EU lawmakers doubled down on the 2050 target on Monday, in a debate over the bloc's planned 7.5 billion euro ($8.2 billion) Just Transition Fund to help high-carbon regions shift away from fossil fuels.

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Reuters, 4 May 2020: EU climate neutrality goal not negotiable amid pandemic - lawmakers