EU lawmakers approve CO2-cutting targets and expanding forest carbon sinks

[jgo]

Source: Reuters

The European Parliament gave its final approval on Tuesday to tougher national targets to cut emissions in some sectors, and expand CO2-absorbing natural ecosystems like forests.

The two laws are part of a major package of climate change legislation passing through the European Union's policymaking process, designed to ensure the 27-country bloc cuts greenhouse gas emissions 55% by 2030, from 1990 levels.

One regulation sets national targets to slash planet-warming emissions in sectors including road transport, heating of buildings, agriculture and waste management.

The new law aims to curb their emissions 40% by 2030, compared with 2005. It replaces a current target for a 30% cut in these sectors.


Read more: https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/eu-lawmakers-approve-co2-cutting-targets-expanding-forest-carbon-sinks-2023-03-14/

[Farmer-Rick]

1. Until we stop burning fossil fuels

Most efforts to curtail global warming will be of very small benefit.

[sybylla]

2. I have been wondering why carbon sinks (forests) aren't discussed more in the US.

We have so much fecking land. Even financially rewarding people tax-wise for planting trees in their city yards would, besides capturing carbon, also provide relief for heating (wind breaks) and cooling (shade) costs. So often subdivisions pop up with zero investment in landscaping other than a few shrubs around the house. I have relatives who live in and older subdivision in Huntsville, AL. The large tree that had to come down in their back yard was one of only about 10 large trees among over 100 houses.

Worse, they took it down in 2015 and haven't replaced it with anything. They now have zero trees in their backyard for their kids to play under in the heat.

In WI, we have lost nearly all our ash trees in the past 5 years to emerald ash borer. Why there isn't a program to replace them asap, I do not understand. I am rebuilding my forest with tiny seedlings - 300 of them this year - because that's all we can afford. It will take them 10+ years to get to the place our ash trees were at when they died.