C 184/136
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
5.5.2022
Thursday 21 October 2021
all Parties to take swift and ambitious action to significantly reduce methane emissions; calls on the Commission to propose a fair, comprehensive and clear legislative framework setting binding measures and methane reduction targets leading to a significant reduction in methane emissions in the EU by 2030; calls on the Commission and the Member States to lead international cooperation and coordination on methane emissions mitigation and to spearhead a global agreement on methane mitigation at COP26 that defines new ambitions on global methane mitigation in line with the IPCC 1,5 oC report, the UNEP global methane assessment report and the sixth IPCC assessment report;
92.
Recalls that, as indicated in the impact assessment of the 2030 climate target plan (27), the target of at least a 55 % reduction in GHG emissions by 2030 requires tackling methane emissions, in line with the objectives of the Paris Agreement;
93.
Supports the Commission’s endeavours to advocate the creation of a legally binding framework at international level for methane emission reduction under the UN;
94.
Welcomes the announced intention of the US Biden Administration and President Xi Jinping of China to ratify the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which, together with the upcoming review of the EU rules on fluorinated greenhouse gases, represents a unique opportunity to bring the world closer to meeting the objectives of the Paris Agreement; calls on the Commission to present an ambitious revision of the F-Gas Regulation by the end of 2021 in order to accelerate the phasing out of hydrofluorocarbons (HFC); believes that additional action should also be taken against the use of sulphur hexafluoride (SF6); 95.
Encourages the EU to take a leading role in promoting carbon pricing as an efficient climate policy tool as part of a broader regulatory framework, to explore links and other forms of cooperation with existing carbon pricing mechanisms in third countries and regions, to accelerate cost-efficient emissions reductions worldwide and to reduce at the same time the risk of carbon leakage, which should contribute to ensuring a global level playing field; calls on the Commission to establish safeguards to ensure that any links with the EU ETS will continue to deliver additional and permanent mitigation contributions and will not undermine the EU’s domestic GHG emissions commitments; underlines that the establishment of a World Trade Organization-compatible EU carbon border adjustment mechanism is a crucial part of the Green Deal and should be a key priority; stresses that the carbon border adjustment mechanism should be used as a blueprint for stronger climate action within the EU and globally, while ensuring fair competition between EU domestic and foreign producers;
96.
Stresses the importance of a strong commitment against deforestation; notes that, although in the EU forest area has been expanding in recent years, in other regions, particularly in emerging economies dependent on commodities, massive deforestation, mainly due to the agriculture and livestock sectors, is a problem in need of an adequate solution;
Industry and competitiveness
97.
Considers COP26 to be the most important one for the European industrial and energy sectors since the signing of the Paris Agreement in 2015, as the Union has enshrined a pathway to reach climate neutrality at the latest by 2050 and has launched the Fit for 55 package; believes that economic prosperity, social cohesion, job creation, sustainable industrial development and climate policy should be mutually reinforcing; highlights the fact that combating climate change provides opportunities for EU industry that can be materialised if legislators commit to timely, tailor-made, solidarity-based and adequate policy response; stresses the need for an overarching strategy to achieve the objectives set for 2030 and beyond aligning public and private financial flows; deems it of the utmost importance for the EU to ensure a first-mover advantage and to lead by example;
98.
Stresses that the EU should do its utmost to keep its industries’ leading position and global competitiveness in the transition towards a net-zero GHG emissions economy; points out that available and innovative policy tools should be employed to maintain and expand the areas of EU leadership; underlines the need to decarbonise European industry further and to continue EU support for this endeavour; welcomes the initiatives undertaken for strategic value chains; recognises the positive effects for European industries from early action in fighting climate change, as well as from the EU setting an example in achieving climate neutrality, which paves the way for less advanced or less ambitious countries and safeguards a highly beneficial competitive advantage for EU industries and business; stresses the need to establish enforceable
(27)
SWD(2020)0176.