Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #ClimateNeutralEU

@FelixSchenuit

"Unconventional Mitigation: Carbon Dioxide Removal as a New Approach in EU Climate Policy" - my new SWP Research Paper together with @FelixSchenuit
bit.ly/SWP20RP08
A Thread on why a #ClimateNeutralEU is impossible without CDR, and what the EU should do about it
(1/n)

Trying to reach net zero emissions will lead to a certain level of residual ('hard to abate') emissions, which will need to be offset via CO2 removal options. This is an often overlooked aspect of global GHG mitigation pathways (below for 1.5C, according to #IPCC)
(2/n)

Since methane & nitrous oxide (mainly #agriculture) represent large share of residual emissions, scenarios achieve net zero GHG 15-20 years later than net zero CO2 (b/c of need for more CDR)
If you compare national GHG targets with global, 2067 is the benchmark, not 2050
(3/n)

Read 14 tweets

Interesting negotiation position by German Chancellor Merkel on burden sharing among Member States in context of EU net-zero emissions target by 2050 cleanenergywire.org/news/merkel-sa… Sound a little bit like wishful thinking...
#ClimateNeutralEU

If GER wants to move towards convergence among Member States by 2050, gap between North-Western and Eastern MS needs to start closing when renegotiating 2030 Effort Sharing targets - highly unlikely if the former are demanding an increase of overall EU 2030 target, not the latter

https://twitter.com/Oliver_Geden/status/1205416123396689920

More likely that there won't be major shift in distribution of efforts when renogiating 2030 target and legislation. Then, MS would probably resort to 'constructive ambiguity' again when it comes to 2050 distribution - just like they did last week in #EUCO

https://twitter.com/Oliver_Geden/status/1205416123396689920

1/n
Still a lot of confusion about European Council conclusions on #ClimateNeutralEU. It's a prime example of 'constructive ambiguity'
But clear indications Poland stood not in the way of agreeing on EU-wide target but simply says they're not going to be at net-zero by 2050
#EUCO

2/n
During negotiations, Poland explicitly demanded to reach net-zero only in 2070, much later than whole EU. Didn't get that far. But #EUCO conclusions allow POL government to sell result at home as not really applying to POL but only to rest of EU (they tried that 2014 as well)

3/n
POL position puts other countries under pressure since it would mean they have to do more by 2050 (i.e. going below zero). NL prime minister Rutte rejected that interpretation immediately.
So who's right? They all are, to some extent. That's how 'constructive ambiguity' works

Read 13 tweets

Pretty sure that POL, HUN & CZE will agree on EU net-zero GHG target - eventually.
But maybe not today, because w/o general agreement on EU budget 2021-2027 (expected only in 2020) they can't get the financial guarantees they demand
uk.reuters.com/article/us-cli…
#EUCO #ClimateNeutralEU

Beyond financial compensation (Just Transition Fund & other perks in EU budget 2021-27) POL/HUN/CZE might get assurance that not every country needs to reach net zero. But do others (like FRA & GER) really want to go net negative?
swp-berlin.org/en/publication…
#EUCO #ClimateNeutralEU

Here's how such a compromise on #ClimateNeutralEU could be expressed in #EUCO language.
Draft text will evolve during the evening and night. To be able to conclude contentious negotiations, governments use 'construcitve ambiguity' (agree now and find out what it means next year)

Rebekka Popp

@RebekkaPopp

THREAD: Here is my take on one of the elements of the #EUGreenDeal that got most attention in the last weeks... the new #JustTransition Mechanism aka #JustTransitionFund 👇

The full proposal will be published in January but the communication gives a taste...

1. The Commission rightly recognizes that the #JustTransition needs to be fair for everyone:
➡️people suffering from the impacts of climate change & a lack of climate action
➡️people negatively affected by climate policy

More on this: e3g.org/library/a-just…

2. The fund will support the regions and sectors most affected by the transition. Yes, you read that right! It’s not only about #coal. This is important because reducing emissions in other sectors will also have consequences for workers and communities. 👏👏

Read 7 tweets

@FelixSchenuit

The EU debate on a net-zero GHG emissions target and its (so far neglected) consequences for Member States. My new SWP policy brief, together with @FelixSchenuit
bit.ly/SWP19C33
#EU2050 #CarbonNeutralEU

@FelixSchenuit

@FelixSchenuit Currently, EU #netzero debate focuses on target year 2050. It is far from clear that this will be the final negotiation outcome. According to @EU_Commission, a later net zero year would still be within the 'Paris compatible' range
bit.ly/SWP19C33
#EU2050 #CarbonNeutralEU

@FelixSchenuit

@FelixSchenuit @EU_Commission Many activists (e.g. @FridayForFuture or @CANEurope) argue that EU has to reach #netzero by 2035/40, but it's not that "science says so"
@theCCCuk net zero report has whole chapter on how national GHG targets relate to global IPCC pathways
theccc.org.uk/publication/ne…
#CarbonNeutralEU

Read 9 tweets

https://twitter.com/MAC_europa/status/1128218437648564226

Indeed a remarkable move. Doesn't necessarily mean that European Council will opt for #ClimateNeutralEU 2050, but least set a concrete year. It will definetely shift the German climate policy debate, make it more ambitious and more pragmatic swp-berlin.org/en/publication… #PCD10

https://twitter.com/MAC_europa/status/1128218437648564226

whether a certain EU or German target year is appropriate or not depends on
(1) global temperature trajectory you focus on (IPCC #SR15 below)
(2) fairness considerations (EU should of course be faster than global average, but how much?)
kleinmanenergy.upenn.edu/policy-digests… #ClimateNeutralEU

@WWF_Deutschland

some more context on Chancellor Merkel's 'net zero by 2050' announcement. Despite missing concrete measures, statements by German NGOs (@WWF_Deutschland & @Germanwatch) indicate they are basically okay with the target year
cleanenergywire.org/news/merkel-sa… #PCD10 #ClimateNeutralEU

Draft European Council conclusions on new EU #climate strategy indicate it's unlikely that heads of state and government will find consensus on "net zero by 2050" in coming months. "Net zero in 2nd half of century" would be quite weak euractiv.com/section/climat… #ClimateNeutralEU

Negotiation docs seem to indicate that Germany sides with Visegrad countries (POL, CZE, HUN, SVK) on blocking 2050 target year
euractiv.com/section/climat… But sources in German government say this issue hasn't been seriously discussed yet because there's no urgency #ClimateNeutralEU

What's largely missing in political debate on exact EU net zero target year is the dimension of international fairness. For the European Union, why exactly "net zero GHG by 2050", in context of global scenarios from #IPCC #SR15 database? kleinmanenergy.upenn.edu/policy-digests… #ClimateNeutralEU