An environmental demonstration in front of the European Commission.

(illustration) -

Shutterstock / SIPA

A "massive" effort in the field of transport, and the need to "tighten the screws" on polluting industries: these are according to Carole Mathieu, researcher at the French Institute of International Relations (Ifri), two keys to achieving the objective of reduction in CO2 emissions just set by the EU.

The Europeans have given the green light to a net reduction in their emissions of "at least 55%" by 2030 compared to the 1990 level, in order to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

“Until now, there has been a concentration of efforts on decarbonising the electricity sector” to promote green energies, recalls the researcher, for whom this project is “well underway”.

She nevertheless underlines that the objective set by the EU "does not mean that there will be no more coal-fired power stations" in 2030, but "that a very clear decline is necessary".

The 27 have indeed taken care in their agreement, announced after a marathon summit, to specify that each state retains the right to choose its "energy mix", that is to say how it produces its electricity.

The coming decade will be the decade of transport

"If the past decade has been that of efforts in the energy field, for the one that is opening up, it is really transport that will be the key", and first of all "cars and trucks", estimates Carole Mathieu.

Another essential project according to the expert: putting the “polluter pays” principle back on the front of the stage by reforming the carbon market, on which companies buy allowances covering their emissions.

"So far there are free allocations (of these" polluting permits ", Editor's note) for certain manufacturers", among others to avoid relocations.

"We will have to review them," she said, for the system to become really dissuasive.

But without breaking “competitiveness”, explains Carole Mathieu.

"If manufacturers are going to pollute elsewhere than in Europe, in terms of the climate it is inefficient, moreover it creates significant social risks and also of political acceptability" of environmental reforms.

And to mention certain avenues, such as for example "equipping each cement plant", a particularly polluting activity, with a "carbon capture and storage system", a technology however still in its infancy, with subsidies if necessary.

There remains, according to Carole Mathieu, another major project, that of agriculture.

"This is a sector that was not at all encouraged (until now) to reduce its emissions," she said.

For example, the researcher imagines increased efforts around the preservation of forests and other natural carbon “sinks”.

As regards the way Europeans eat, travel and consume, “this also implies social choices, questions about the growth model that cannot be resolved during a European Council.

"

World

Agreement of the 27 EU countries to reduce their CO2 emissions by at least 55% by 2030

Planet

Global CO2 emissions fell in 2020 under the effect of confinements ... but only 7%

  • Transport

  • Global warming

  • Greenhouse gas

  • Planet

  • Weather

  • EU

  • Pollution