Analysis: Historical climate decision - trouble with China to wait

Europe will be the first carbon neutral continent and it will happen within 30 years. The critics are already pointing out that the green given is too late and too vague. According to the UN Climate Panel IPCC, carbon dioxide emissions must cease by 2035, but such a decision was not politically possible. The decision is nevertheless historic and is expected to stimulate the growth of green energy solutions.

Now, every economic investment should be reconsidered in light of the climate emergency situation announced by the European Parliament, among other things.

The new EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen can now start to sketch that the EU's green donor will become a binding law. The plan entails a green infrastructure and energy program, which in turn is expected to stimulate the growth of green energy solutions. EU countries' controversial subsidies to the oil and coal industry will cease. The green given covers everything from common rules for recycling to tolls to the end of the free allocation of allowances to aviation.

The EU is setting its green targets for 2030, a year that will become a control station. Until then, emissions should have dropped by 50-55 percent. The former target was 40 percent.

But Poland, which is 80 per cent dependent on coal power, intends to make good payments to agree to the decision. They did not block the decision, but stood outside and want until 2070 to become carbon neutral. Poland demands EUR 578 billion from the European Investment Bank in project money to give up its coal industry.

They also want a significant contribution from the € 100 billion that the EU decided to allocate to make a fair transition, and mitigate the shocks to the districts that will be forced to give up jobs in the coal mines. Poland's refusal to join will be reopened at the EU summit in June.

It is unusual for EU heads of state and government to announce a decision in this way without all member states agreeing. It is a measure of the desperation of EU leaders who, with their decision, want to give a vitamin injection to the blood-poor climate negotiations in Madrid, negotiations that are currently in circles.

The fact that the EU makes the decision to become carbon neutral is an important signal to developing countries whose stern demands are that rich Europe take the lead in the energy conversion that is now required in the light of the climate crisis. The responsibility rests extra heavily on Europe's shoulders since the US chose to check out of the climate negotiations. The EU's decision also increases the chances that the next global climate summit in Glasgow in November 2020 can take the necessary steps and sharpen the Paris agreement on emissions reductions.

Now a series of tough negotiations awaits. The Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary require the EU to open up nuclear energy, to classify it as a renewable energy source and thus become part of the new green energy mix in the EU. The requirement is supported by France.

The European Commission must also define what a green investment really is. And how to protect European companies? They already have to pay for their carbon dioxide emissions during the EU's common emissions trading, something their Chinese competitors do not have to.

In addition, European companies must now invest in new technology in order to be fossil-free. But Ursula van der Leyen has flagged to introduce carbon dioxide duties.

Countries that can produce cheaper goods for ignoring climate responsibility should be punished with higher import duties. China, India, Vietnam and other countries exporting to Europe will not accept a lull.

The political and economic dividing lines are being sharpened in the light of the climate crisis.