Environmental Minister Ola Elvestuen (V) says that the climate ambitions of the new European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will contribute to clear leadership in the climate issue.
“We support her work to reinforce the EU’s climate goals,” says Elvestuen to NTB.
Von der Leyen said earlier this week that she will cut EU emissions by 55 percent of the 1990 level by 2030. The goal is climate neutrality, which means that the effect of all remaining emissions is zeroed out.
“In the government platform, we are in favor of the EU increasing its ambition to 55 percent, which in that case Norway will succeed. The hope that Ley’s goal will be a significant contribution and will show even more clear international leadership in the climate fight,” says Elvestuen.
With just over half of the elected representatives backing, German von der Leyen was approved as new president of the EU Commission. She becomes the first woman in the job.
“For us, this shows the importance of the agreement with the EU on joint implementation that Parliament gave its assent on this past spring. We want to work actively for the EU to increase its ambition to 55 percent cuts. With her choice we have a good opportunity,” says the Minister for the Environment.
© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today
