Frans
Timmermans, European Commissioner for the European Green Deal, said
the future of the next generations was at stake if the EU failed to
take action now.

“Only
two months ago I held my first grandson … I also worried what sort
of world would he live in when he reaches 20 years of age,” he
said. “His entire future depends on whether we get it right -
now.”

As
part of the plan, the commission published suggested amendments to a
previously proposed European Climate Law, including the new legally
binding emissions cut target of 55%, up from 40%.

Timmermans
said the commission would present a detailed plan of how to achieve
that target by June 2021.

The
European Parliament and EU leaders still need to approve the
proposals, which are likely to face resistance from countries
economically relying on carbon-heavy industries, such as coal.

Timmermans
said some existing schemes would have to be extended to achieve a
greener Europe. The EU’s emissions trading system, under which
producers pay for the carbon-dioxide they produce, could for example
be extended to include the shipping industry.

Free
allowances would also have to be reduced, he added.

So
far, net emissions have only been reduced by 22% compared to 1990, a
commission impact assessment found. This includes net absorption and
emissions of the EU’s land-use and forests.