EU Parliament Adopts Resolution Supporting Only 2 Scenarios For Emissions Cuts

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on Thursday supporting only two out of the eight European Commission's "pathways" to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, the parliament's press service said

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th March, 2019) The European Parliament adopted a resolution on Thursday supporting only two out of the eight European Commission's "pathways" to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, the parliament's press service said.

In November, the European Commission, in its communication to the EU bodies, proposed its long-term strategy, called a Clean Planet for all, which envisages transition to a climate neutral economy by 2050.

"In a non-binding resolution, adopted with 369 votes to 116 and 40 abstentions, MEPs say that only two of the eight scenarios ('pathways') proposed by the European Commission in its November communication would enable the EU to reach net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, the commitment made by the EU under the Paris climate agreement. They support the Commission in pushing for these two scenarios," the statement read.

These pathways include support for regions in their transition to decarbonisation, such as coal mining regions, through a "just transition fund," as well as the promotion of investments in circular and bio-economy.

"MEPs stress that in order to reach net-zero GHG emissions in 2050 in the most cost-efficient manner, the 2030 ambition level will need to be raised. The EU must therefore send a clear message that it stands ready to review its contribution to the Paris Agreement, they say," the statement read.

The European Parliament also has expressed support for the demonstrations against climate change.

The Paris climate deal, created within the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, went into force on November 4, 2016. It has been ratified by 185 of the 197 parties to the accord. The deal aims to keep the increase in average global temperature at below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels by means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.