2023-12-20 01:10:49
A group of European Union countries aims to decarbonize their energy systems by 2035, setting an important milestone on the path to zero carbon by mid-century.
The target – agreed by Germany, France, the Netherlands, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg – is around five years earlier than expected by the EU. Reducing carbon from the power grid is seen as a crucial first step towards removing emissions from the wider energy system, which makes up the majority of the EU’s carbon footprint.
Switzerland, although not an EU member state, has also signed the 2035 plan as part of the so-called Pentalateral Energy Forum, according to a statement.
“About 50% of total electricity demand in the EU is in our region,” Dutch Climate and Energy Minister Rob Jetten said in an interview. “A fully integrated energy market in northwest Europe will be crucial to the EU’s decarbonization objectives.”
By 2040, the EU’s energy system is expected to be nearly emissions-free due to the impact of the bloc’s carbon market.
The Pentalateral Energy Forum was formed in 2005 to integrate electricity markets in participating countries.
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