Britain needs to maintain environment standards and climate targets set by EU even if it has exited the bloc, as EU plans to mention the same during negotiations to sign future ties. The EU member states have agreed to follow a “negotiating mandate for the executive European Commission”. The talks with Britain will start in the coming week wherein the bloc will attempt to strike a “partnership deal” for next year as the “transition period” will end on 31 December 2020.
The EU mandate on the same mentions that the deal which will affect trade, economic co-operations and policy matter would need Britain to keep “minimum commitments” towards “climate change and environment”. The EU as well as Britain have been competing to become a leader in climate change for they see global warming to be a political priority.
However, environmentalists fear that Britain could fall under pressure to succumb to “lower standards”. As per Reuters reports:
“Under the status quo, Britain contributes to EU-wide climate targets. It also has legally-binding domestic goals to cut its greenhouse gas output which, if maintained after Brexit, would be aligned with the minimum EU aims”.
The EU wants to increase its target for greenhouse gas emission reduction of “of 50%-to-55% below 1990 levels from an existing goal of a 40% reduction by 2030”. While, the fifth carbon budget of Britain restricts the greenhouse gas emission from “2028-2032” and it needs to bring the emissions level of the country “57% below 1990 levels” in 2030.
Moreover, the EU mandate also mentions that Britain will need to follow a “carbon pricing system” which would have the same scope and effectiveness of the “Emissions Trading System” followed by the EU. Britain, on the other hand, has plans of launching its “own carbon market in January 2021 and to link it to the EU’s”.
Even though, the EU is ready consider Britain’s plans but it is clear that Britain “any linkage must ensure the integrity of the EU carbon market and maintain a level playing-field”.
References:
reuters.com
The EU mandate on the same mentions that the deal which will affect trade, economic co-operations and policy matter would need Britain to keep “minimum commitments” towards “climate change and environment”. The EU as well as Britain have been competing to become a leader in climate change for they see global warming to be a political priority.
However, environmentalists fear that Britain could fall under pressure to succumb to “lower standards”. As per Reuters reports:
“Under the status quo, Britain contributes to EU-wide climate targets. It also has legally-binding domestic goals to cut its greenhouse gas output which, if maintained after Brexit, would be aligned with the minimum EU aims”.
The EU wants to increase its target for greenhouse gas emission reduction of “of 50%-to-55% below 1990 levels from an existing goal of a 40% reduction by 2030”. While, the fifth carbon budget of Britain restricts the greenhouse gas emission from “2028-2032” and it needs to bring the emissions level of the country “57% below 1990 levels” in 2030.
Moreover, the EU mandate also mentions that Britain will need to follow a “carbon pricing system” which would have the same scope and effectiveness of the “Emissions Trading System” followed by the EU. Britain, on the other hand, has plans of launching its “own carbon market in January 2021 and to link it to the EU’s”.
Even though, the EU is ready consider Britain’s plans but it is clear that Britain “any linkage must ensure the integrity of the EU carbon market and maintain a level playing-field”.
References:
reuters.com
