Env min says will defend misguided government position at EU car emission talks

German environment minister Svenja Schulze will argue for limiting CO₂ car emission cuts to 30 percent by 2030 at today’s decisive meeting with her EU counterparts, despite believing the proposal by the EU commission falls far short of what’s necessary to mitigate climate change. “We will support the commission’s 30 percent target for CO₂ emission limits for cars. That’s not easy after yesterday’s IPCC report. I would have liked to go further here,” Schulze said, adding she would find it “very difficult” to defend the government position. “I also believe it’s not the right way from an industrial policy perspective – but it’s a decision, this is how democracy works. That’s how it goes if you can’t have your way in a coalition.”

Find Schulze’s statement in German here.

Find background in the news item Merkel opposes more ambitious EU car fleet emissions targets and the articles Germany launches task force to kickstart shift to sustainable mobility and German environment ministry pushes for tougher EU car emission rules.