Page 11 - Gi_August2021

international news

GERMANY AND CHILE GERMANY AND CHILE have signed a

letter of intent for a bilateral alliance on
hydrogen production and trade to try to
SIGN ACCORD TO BOOST facilitate a renewable energy hydrogen
supply chain between the countries,
according to Reuters.
The two will set up a task force to
HYDROGEN COOPERATION build up hydrogen economies and
identify feasible projects based on
an initial energy partnership deal
established in 2019, the German
economy ministry said.
Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said
cooperation with Chile is important as
Germany’s big energy players look at
new trade routes for hydrogen imports
as a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels.
“Green hydrogen is a key element in
achieving our climate goals,” Altmaier said.
“We focus on strategic partnerships
with countries in which green hydrogen
and its derivatives can be generated
efficiently and cost-effectively.”
In December, the German economic
ministry made an €8.2 million
contribution to a Chilean hydrogen
PETER ALTMAIER plant planned by Siemens Energy.

LANDMARK EU LAW TO SLASH the nation’s future climate policy
position uncertain.
EMISSIONS BY 55 PER CENT BY 2030 who drafted and delivered the law in the
Swedish politician Jytte Guteland,
European Parliament said: “I am proud
that we finally have a climate law. We
confirmed a net emissions reductions
target of at least 55 per cent, closer to
57 per cent by 2030 according to our
agreement with the Commission.
She added: “I would have preferred
to go even further, but this is a good
deal based on science that will make
a big difference. The EU must now
reduce emissions more in the next
decade than it has in the previous
three decades combined, and we have
new and more ambitious targets that
can inspire more countries to step up.”
The new law intends to put the
THE NEW LAW WILL PUT THE CLIMATE climate crisis at the centre of all EU
CRISIS AT THE CENTRE OF EU POLICY policy, a move that would avoid the
most devastating impacts of climate
THE EUROPEAN UNION has stepped carbon sinks, potentially allowing change if mirrored globally. New
up efforts to tackle the climate crisis emissions to fall by up to 57 per cent, regulations include an overhaul
with new laws designed to slash the European Commission said. of the EU carbon market, stricter
greenhouse gas emissions, according The historic deal approved by all CO₂ standards for new cars, and
to The Independent. EU countries — except Bulgaria, which the introduction of an independent
The targets state the EU must reduce abstained — ensures that the bloc’s climate policy advisory body.
its net emissions by 55 per cent by greenhouse gas emissions targets are However, the new laws do not
2030 from what they were in 1990, and now legally binding. set out compulsory targets for
by 2050, cut emissions to net zero. A Bulgarian government spokesman individual countries, but instead
Changes in land use and increases said: “The final compromise does apply to the EU as a whole,
in forestry across Europe over the not reflect our national position suggesting some nations may need
next decade will also create new sufficiently.” The abstention has left to contribute more than others.

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News.indd 6 15/07/2021 13:20