New York, Von der Leyen promises an ever greener Europe. But Environment Council had hit brakes

Brussels – The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, extolled the Union’s clean energy successes at the New York forum Global Renewables Summit (GRS25). However, the difficulties emerging during the Environment Council on 18 September remain unmentioned and only in the background. On that occasion, the relevant ministers had not signed a binding decision for a 90 per cent reduction in emissions by 2040. 

Arriving in New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly, Ursula von der Leyen stopped by the  Global Renewables Summit, the international clean energy Forum, where she spoke before several guests, including Kenyan President William Ruto and the Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Philip Davis.

The president’s speech sought to highlight the green achievements of the 12-star club: “The momentum in Europe is real. For every euro spent on fossil fuels, more than two are invested in clean energy.” She continued: “Almost half of Europe’s electricity comes from renewable sources. Solar and wind are our fastest-growing sources. And, with our Clean Industrial Deal, we are mobilising more than €100 billion to help industries innovate and adapt.”

The goal that is not there

What has been happening on the European continent in recent days, however, is not in line with the claims made. On Thursday, 18 September, there was the latest setback on the Green Economy: the ministers responsible for the environment did not sign up to the binding targets for 2040, delegating the decision to their heads of government. The topic of discord was the setting of a target within the “European climate act”. The aim was to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90 per cent by 2040. However, the decision was postponed and deferred to the European Council at the end of October, when, seated at the table, all leaders will seek a compromise in view of the Brazilian COP30, scheduled for early November.

In the run-up to COP30

The Brazilian forum, in which all UN nations will participate, will be the context in which decisions will be made on which path to take for the future of the planet. The options will be either to propose vague goals or to set clear targets to steer the future. A theme dear to the hearts of the 18 Heads of State (including Ursula von der Leyen) who signed a joint letter today: “The preparation of the post-2030 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) represents an opportunity to raise ambition, consolidate existing commitments, and chart a course for the next decade. A commitment that the EU will only be able to fulfil in part, should a clear decision not be reached at the EUCO on 23-24 October.

Additionally, due to this uncertainty, von der Leyen did not announce any specific targets for the future. In her speech this afternoon, she preferred to focus on international cooperation. As an example of cross-border success, she cited the undersea electricity cable ELMED, which will connect the Italian electricity grid with the Tunisian one. According to the president, it will create “a green corridor for clean industry”. 

Renewable energy development in Africa seems to be a sticking point for the EU Commission. In January in Davos, the executive body of the Union launched the
Global Energy Transition Forum

with the aim of African development. Several major countries, including Kenya, South Africa, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, will be part of it.