European Union leaders reaffirmed their commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050 at a summit Thursday in Brussels but failed to unanimously agree on its implementation due to Poland鈥檚 concerns.
European heads of state and government decided to come back to the topic at a summit in June 2020.
European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed the EU鈥檚 commitment to the roadmap outlined in the European Union鈥檚 Green Deal policy package on the transition to carbon neutrality at a press conference after the first day of discussions.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she was 鈥渜uite satisfied鈥� with the results, which she described as 鈥渁ll in all great progress鈥� but admitted they had 鈥渋ntense discussions鈥�.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki also welcomed a solution that gives Poland 鈥渆normous flexibility鈥� after he secured an exemption from 2050 climate neutrality.
His Czech counterpart, Andrej Babis, also reached his goal as the conclusions of the meeting mentioned nuclear energy as part of some member states鈥� energy mixes.
Carbon neutrality, or having a net zero carbon footprint, refers to achieving net zero carbon dioxide emissions by balancing carbon emissions with carbon removal or simply eliminating carbon emissions altogether.
The leaders meanwhile postponed negotiations on the EU鈥檚 budget for the 2021-2027 period. Michel will continue to hold bilateral talks with governments on the multiannual financial framework.
The European Council also stated in its conclusions that the Turkey-Libya Maritime Border Deal 鈥渃annot produce any legal consequences for third states鈥� and unequivocally reaffirmed its solidarity with Greece and Cyprus.
By Agnes Szucs in Brussels
Anadolu Agency
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