EU failing to cut import-linked CO2 emissions: NGO

From energy to textiles and meat, the European Union is failing to cut import-related CO2 emissions -- a weak point of its climate policy, an environmental NGO warned Tuesday.

The European Climate Foundation made its point by unveiling in Brussels an online tool measuring greenhouse gas emissions linked to international trade between 2010 and 2023.

The NGO's tracker showed the European Union was failing to cut emissions from products imported notably from China.

In 2023, import-related emissions accounted for 35 percent of the EU's carbon footprint, eight percentage points higher than in 2015.

The bloc's greenhouse gas emissions linked its imports are stalling while its domestic emissions are falling, so imported emissions account for a bigger proportion of the total.

Europe is now introducing measures to reduce import-related emissions, notably laws against deforestation and methane emissions, which several countries fiercely oppose, including the United States.

However, these measures do not cover all sectors, said Samuel Lere, the foundation's industrial policy and trade programme manager.

Globally, international trade accounts for more than 20 per cent of total emissions, according to the tracker launched on Tuesday.

Since 1995, greenhouse gas emissions linked to international trade have risen faster than global emissions, with the 1995-2023 period seeing a 10-point gap.

"This does not mean we should halt globalisation, but that we must trade in low-carbon products and discriminate against those that are not," said Lere.

He called on Brussels to set "standards for low-carbon products" for the bloc's trade with countries such as China.

The foundation also called for the relocation of some production and lifestyle changes which would for instance reduce consumption of fossil fuels and beef.