Critics on the European Green Deal say that the proposed increase in greenhouse gas emission reduction targets by 2030 is insufficient and that the deadline for zero emissions by 2050 is too far to halt the negative climate change impact, and that the European Commission led by Ursula von der Leyen continues to move towards the unsustainable growth of the EU economy.

Although the European Union may be considered a global leader in the fight against climate change, in early December 2019 the European Environment Agency warned in its report that Europe was facing unprecedented challenges. Although EU policies so far have helped, in part, most of the EU's targets on climate change and environmental protection will not be reached and greenhouse gas emission thresholds are likely to be exceeded. The conclusion of this report, which is published every five years, is that we need a fundamental change in key production and consumption systems.

A week later, the President of the new European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, unveiled a plan to halt climate change through a more sustainable growth of the EU economy, called the European Green Deal. It is an integral part of the Commission's strategy to implement the United Nations 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as other priorities announced in President von der Leyen's political guidelines. It suggests reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting biodiversity while starting a just transition process[1] towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly practices in all industries, such as transport, energy, agriculture, construction, textile, etc.

Green plans

The activities and targets envisaged by the European Green Deal should, by 2050, bring the Europe to be the "first climate-neutral continent in the world" with zero greenhouse gas emissions.

To achieve this, the Commission plans to implement various policies to help the EU and its Member States put this plan into action. The first EU-level Climate Law will need to be adopted in the next three to four months, but also a new Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, followed by: an Industrial Strategy, a Sustainable Food Strategy and a Circular Economy Action Plan. The just energy transition mechanism, backed by a € 100 billion fund, will be particularly targeted at those countries and regions that rely heavily on coal and will support the most vulnerable citizens in this process, facilitating retraining programs and job opportunities in new sectors.

Criticism

Unfortunately, at the moment, the Green Deal does not seem to be as ambitious as the situation requires. Critics have said that the proposed increase in emission reduction targets by 2030 is insufficient and the deadline for zero emissions by 2050 is too far to halt the irreversible negative impact of climate change, and that the Ursula von der Leyen Commission goes towards the unsustainable growth of the EU economy. The aforementioned report of the European Environment Agency explicitly stated that "Europe will not achieve its vision of sustainability to 'live well, within the confines of our planet' if it promotes economic growth, seeking to manage adverse side effects through environmental and social policy mechanisms. Instead, sustainability must become the guiding principle for ambitious and coherent policies and actions across society. "

Where is the Western Balkan?

As noted above, criticism at the Commission's lack of ambition in the Green Deal, or its likely susceptibility to lobbying industry representatives who are traditionally major polluters, exists. However, if we compare the results achieved by the EU, as well as the planned measures in the Green Deal, with the measures implemented in Serbia and other Western Balkan countries and the results achieved by these countries (for example, in the energy sector), the difference is more than evident and worrying for the entire Western Balkans.

The positive thing is that the Green Deal also mentions the Western Balkans - through its trade policy, the EU will seek to build partnerships with partners in the Western Balkans "to assist them in their transition processes".

The Green Deal, on the other hand, mentions that the EU may be in the position of having to devise and implement carbon border adjustment mechanisms to promote more responsible production in terms of greenhouse gas emissions in certain sectors, if its international partners continue with poor manufacturing practices. Serbia is the country with the largest trading partner with 67% of exports in 2018 (with a growing trend over the previous years) precisely the EU. Consideration should be given to our production process, which is characterized by a high carbon footprint, but also by inefficient energy policies that make it possible, as this would inevitably affect their competitiveness and demand in the EU and therefore the entire economy.

The article is conveyed from 54. edition of newsletter  "Let's Talk About Negotiations".

Milica Mijatovic, Belgrade Open School

Photo source: canva.com

[1] The term "just transition" refers to the process of replacing or transforming the business of different industries into a system based on the use of renewable energy. In planning such policies, it is necessary to include social aspects as well.