The EU is not fighting fossil fuels, only emissions, von der Leyen says ahead of G20 – Euractiv

European Union Climate Policy and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Policy Statement on Fossil Fuel Emissions and Climate Action (SDG 13)

• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the European Union’s primary objective is to combat the emissions produced by fossil fuels, which are the drivers of climate change, rather than targeting the fuels themselves.
• This policy clarification was made in South Africa preceding the G20 leaders’ summit.
• The statement has significant implications for global efforts to meet the objectives of SDG 13 (Climate Action), particularly in the context of international negotiations at the upcoming COP30 climate conference in Brazil.

Impact on Global Partnerships and Commitments (SDG 17 & SDG 13)

1. The European Union’s international climate diplomacy previously achieved a major success by securing a global pledge to transition away from fossil fuels.
2. The recent distinction between fuels and their emissions is perceived as a potential weakening of the EU’s position, which could undermine the global partnerships (SDG 17) necessary for effective climate action.
3. A draft COP30 agreement has omitted a proposal, present in a previous version, to organize a conference for governments to establish roadmaps for ending fossil fuel dependence, a key mechanism for achieving SDG 13 targets.

Advancing Affordable and Clean Energy for All (SDG 7)

• In response to inquiries, a European Commission spokesperson affirmed the EU’s full commitment to the energy transition, noting that EU climate legislation’s focus on emission reduction targets effectively decreases the share of fossil fuels.
• President von der Leyen highlighted the role of clean technologies in advancing SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), especially in providing energy access to millions currently without it.
• She emphasized that developing economies are well-positioned to leverage their abundant renewable resources, including:
  • Solar
  • Wind
  • Geothermal
  • Hydropower
  • New low-emission fuels
• The President underscored the importance of a globally inclusive clean energy transition, referencing a co-hosted event with South Africa to scale up renewable energy use in Africa, directly supporting SDG 7 and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Critical Perspectives on Health and Environmental Integrity (SDG 3 & SDG 13)

• The environmental NGO Greenpeace described the notion of separating fossil fuels from their emissions as “preposterous.”
• The organization reiterated the scientific consensus that a complete phase-out of fossil fuels is essential to achieve the goals of SDG 13 (Climate Action).
• Greenpeace noted that every stage of fossil fuel production and utilization harms human health and the environment, a direct concern for SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), long before the carbon dioxide from their combustion impacts the climate.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • The article extensively discusses the transition to clean energy. It quotes Ursula von der Leyen mentioning “clean technologies,” “clean transition,” and specific renewable energy sources like “solar, but also wind, geothermal, hydropower.” A key point is the goal to “bring modern energy to the many millions that remain without access to energy,” directly addressing the core principles of SDG 7.
2. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • This is the central theme of the article. The entire discussion revolves around fighting “the emissions they [fossil fuels] produce that fuel climate change.” It references international climate diplomacy, the UN’s climate change conference (COP30), and the global pledge to “transition away from fossil fuels” to combat the “climate crisis.”
3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The article highlights the importance of international cooperation to achieve climate and energy goals. It mentions multilateral forums like the G20 leaders’ meeting and the COP30 climate conference, where global commitments are negotiated. Furthermore, it points to a specific partnership, stating that von der Leyen will “co-host with South Africa an event… on scaling up the use of renewables in Africa.”

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.
   • This target is directly referenced in Ursula von der Leyen’s statement about clean technologies, which “open new ways to bring modern energy to the many millions that remain without access to energy.”
2. Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
   • The article’s focus on “scaling up the use of renewables in Africa” and the listing of various renewable sources (solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower) directly aligns with this target of increasing the share of renewable energy.
3. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
   • This is evident in the discussion of the EU’s approach, where a spokesperson states that the bloc’s “climate legislation is based on targets for emission reductions.” The debate at COP30 about establishing a “roadmap to end their dependence on fossil fuels” is also a clear example of integrating climate measures into global and national planning.
4. Target 17.7: Promote the development, transfer, dissemination and diffusion of environmentally sound technologies to developing countries on favourable terms.
   • The article mentions the EU bringing “a message of hope and opportunity on clean technologies” to developing economies. The planned event co-hosted with South Africa to scale up renewables in Africa is a concrete example of promoting the diffusion of environmentally sound technologies to a developing region.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator for Target 7.1 (Implied): Proportion of the population with access to energy.
   • The phrase “the many millions that remain without access to energy” implies that a key metric for success is the reduction of this number, which corresponds to tracking the proportion of the population gaining access to modern energy.
2. Indicator for Target 7.2 (Implied): Share of renewable energy.
   • The commitment to “scaling up the use of renewables” and bringing down the “share of fossil fuels” implies that progress is measured by the increasing share of renewable energy (solar, wind, etc.) in the total energy consumption mix.
3. Indicator for Target 13.2 (Implied): Greenhouse gas emissions levels and national climate policies.
   • The article’s central focus is on fighting “emissions.” The EU’s climate legislation is explicitly “based on targets for emission reductions.” Therefore, the primary indicator for progress is the measurement of greenhouse gas emissions. The creation of “roadmaps” to phase out fossil fuels is another indicator of policy integration.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: euractiv.com