In a special report published on Monday, the European Court of Auditors urges member states and the EU Commission to make significantly greater efforts against the climate crisis and for the energy transition. Actions, data, transparency and funding are lacking. “Overall, the Court found so far little evidence that sufficient steps are being taken to meet the EU’s ambitious 2030 targets,” the auditors write.
By 2030, the EU wants to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 55% compared to 1990 (“Fit for 55”). The EU Court of Auditors attributes the fact that the partial target could be achieved in this way by 2020, according to a Commission success report in October 2022, mainly to external factors and selective calculations. The financial crisis and the corona pandemic have contributed to achieving energy efficiency targets. However, preliminary data on emissions in 2021, up five percent, indicated “a significant rebound effect” from the economic recovery.
Furthermore, the determination of EU greenhouse gas emissions for 2020 does not take into account those “caused by trade, carbon leakage and international air and maritime transport” (which together represented an estimated increase of at least 10 per cent). However, “it is of the opinion that all greenhouse gas emissions caused by the EU should be taken into account”, said in a statement Joëlle Elvinger, member of the European Court of Auditors responsible for the audit. “This is important because the EU is committed to leading the world in the transition to climate neutrality.”
The same applies to the other two core objectives, namely the intended increase in the proportion of energy coming from renewable sources (22.1 percent was achieved instead of the at least 20 percent forecast) and the promotion of energy efficiency and energy consumption reduction (24.6 percent was achieved instead of 20 percent) 2020 sub-targets were achieved, according to the test report. However, to achieve the targets set for 2030, significantly greater efforts are needed.
It’s not clear where this could be most effective, because auditors also complain about a huge lack of information. “The Commission has only a partial view of which measures have worked well to achieve the 2020 targets,” he said. “Information on the costs and effects of measures is lacking. Data is also lacking on the financial burden on the EU budget, on national budgets and on the private sector resulting from meeting the EU’s objectives.”
The sums at stake are huge: the EU has pledged to spend at least 30% of its budget on climate protection measures for the period 2021-2027, i.e. around €87 billion a year. “This amount represents less than 10 percent of the total investment needed to meet the 2030 targets, which are estimated at around €1 billion a year,” says the report. “The remaining investments will be raised with national and private funds.” However, there is a complete lack of an overview. Furthermore, it is to be expected that the war in Ukraine, for example, will have a negative impact on the achievement of the ambitious goals and the availability of the necessary funds.
It is also not clear enough how exactly EU countries achieved their nationally binding targets. For example, some would not have reached their targets on their own, but would have bought emission allowances or shares of renewable energy from other Member States that exceeded their targets. “We need more transparency about how the EU and member states are doing in their efforts to meet climate and energy targets,” says Elvinger.
In a global comparison, however, the EU’s efforts are remarkable: while global emissions increased by 57% over the period 1990-2019, emissions in the EU-27 fell by 26%, the report says. In the same period, there was an increase of 259% in China and 166% in India. With its greenhouse gas emissions reduced by 20% since 2005, Austria is in the bottom third of EU member states.
EU rules required member states to submit 10-year national integrated energy and climate plans (NEKPs) for the period 2021-2030. Austria’s NEKP was decided in December 2019 under Minister Maria Patek. The plan lists around 300 measures that should lead to the prescribed reduction, but only possible scenarios for fully meeting the 2030 emissions target were listed. The caretaker government had good intentions, “but good intentions will not be enough to fulfill the EU’s legal obligations. There is therefore a clear and rapid need for improvements,” criticized Leonore Gewessler, vice president of the Greens club.
Today, as Minister, Gewessler is responsible for ensuring that Austria, like the other member states, presents an updated draft NEKP by June 30, which includes the EU, which has since been bolstered by the 2021 “Fit for 55” package. and the proposal of “REPowerEU” from 2022 -Account reduction targets. “Work on preparing the national energy and climate plan is underway at the Ministry of Climate Protection. Once it is complete, we will present the results and launch the planned public consultation. The draft will also be coordinated with the EU Commission and feedback will be obtained here.” , he told the ministry’s APA. “The final plan must be submitted to the Commission by June 2024.”
(SERVICE – full report on www.eca.europa.eu )