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Renovation of a single-family home

Photo: Detail photo / Shotshop / IMAGO

The European Parliament has finally approved several climate protection laws.

MPs voted on Tuesday at their plenary session in Strasbourg for a law that would reduce energy consumption in homes and other buildings.

Parliament also decided on stricter emissions regulations for industry and agriculture.

A majority of MPs approved a directive for greater

energy efficiency in buildings

.

The EU wants to reduce the sector's energy consumption by 16 percent by 2030 compared to 2020 and by 20 to 22 percent by 2035. Contrary to the original Brussels plans, there are no minimum standards for residential buildings.

This means that “compulsory renovations for homes” with poor energy performance are finally off the table, said CSU MEP Angelika Niebler.

However, there is still a “de facto obligation to renovate non-residential buildings, such as commercial and public buildings with the worst energy efficiency”.

MEP Michael Bloss (Greens) called the modernization a “success” and once again accused the right-wing camp of a “fear campaign”.

He called on governments to provide financial support to owners and tenants in the national implementation of the directive.

The majority of EU MPs also approved the law on

industrial emissions

.

Many industrial and agricultural companies are therefore obliged to emit less nitrogen oxides, methane, ammonia or other substances that are harmful to the climate.

However, cattle farmers are exempt.

The 2010 regulations would be “adapted to the state of science,” explained Green MEP Jutta Paulus.

“Disasters such as the fish deaths in the Oder can be prevented in the future.”

Parliament also approved cross-border transport with so-called Gigaliners, also known as

“monster trucks”

.

This refers to trucks that are up to 25 meters long and weigh 60 tons.

In Germany they are already allowed to drive under certain conditions.

The EU Commission argues that larger trucks save fuel.

Environmentalists, however, warn of even more road traffic.

The new rules are intended to help reduce greenhouse gases by at least 55 percent by 2030 compared to 1990.

Europe even wants to become the first climate-neutral region of the world by 2050.

hey/AFP