Svenja Schulze – On the EU climate law and a higher emission reduction target

Planet A - Talks on Climate Change

In the 9th episode of Planet A, Dan Jørgensen talks with Germany’s Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, Svenja Schulze

Minister Schulze is one of the world’s most important decision makers in contemporary climate politics.

In her current job, she is not only facing the monumental task of decarbonizing Germany, Europe’s largest economy. Minister Schulze is also shouldering a vital international task, as Germany holds the presidency of the European Council for the autumn of 2020.

The German presidency comes at a crucial moment for European politics in general and for climate politics in particular.

In this episode, Minister Schulze speaks about the European Union’s climate agenda during her tenure. To her, the two most important items this fall are the European Climate Law and the new EU 2030-emission reduction target.

Schulze points to the Commission’s assessment that an increased climate target of at least 55 percent will be beneficial to the EU’s economy and essential for sustaining global climate momentum. Reflecting on her role as a moderator, Schulze points to the fact that the member states have different starting points when it comes to the deployment of renewable energy.

She concludes that a legally binding climate law, combined with an increased reduction target will result in more than 50 new EU laws. This will pave the way for a green transition and create abundant opportunities for green growth that can help revitalize the economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.