The proposal proposes a reduction of greenhouse gases within the EU by 90 percent by 2040 compared to 1990 levels. But some flexibility is included in the calculation of emissions in the new climate target. Among other things, the EU member states will be able to count emission credits in their calculations, in exchange for implementing climate projects outside Europe.
EU Member of Parliament Emma Wiesner (C) calls the proposal "a false climate target and a great betrayal", and calls the flexibility "nothing but loopholes".
The problem is that when we use international credits, when we use global projects, then it's not those countries that get to keep the climate benefits, but it's creative accounting, then we steal it and put it on the EU's bill instead, says Wiesner.
S wants to see debate
EU Member of Parliament Heléne Fritzon (S) joins in the criticism and welcomes a debate on the issue in the EU Parliament.
I think the Commission is tricking with the EU's climate ambitions and it's a way to try to shift the responsibility under the concept of flexibility which means that you take from the member states the responsibility that you actually have, and I think that's the wrong way to go, she says.
But from the government's side, it sounds different.
"The Commission's proposal for increased flexibility is fundamentally good. For the government, it is important that the Swedish forest is not forced to bear an disproportionately large responsibility", writes Sweden's EU Minister Jessica Rosencrantz (M) in a comment.
The government will analyze the climate targets
In a text message to TT, Sweden's Climate Minister Romina Pourmokhtari (L) writes that the government was early to support the Commission's proposal.
"We will now need to analyze the climate law as a whole before we take a final position. The majority of emission reductions must take place within the EU in a way that strengthens the industry's competitiveness. At the same time, the climate crisis is global - emissions affect the climate regardless of where they occur. Through Article 6 cooperation with high environmental integrity, we can both increase global climate ambition and achieve the EU's climate targets in a more cost-effective way", continues the minister.
