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Cyprus President Warns: EU Climate Goals May Be Too Ambitious

Europe’s Climate Ambitions Face Reality Check

In a stark assessment following the COP29 global climate summit, Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides has suggested that the European Union’s climate goals might be overly ambitious, potentially overlooking crucial economic factors.

EU’s Ambitious Targets

The EU has set stringent targets to combat climate change:

  • 90% reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions by 2040,
  • Zero net emissions by 2050.

Christodoulides’ Concerns

Speaking at an energy conference in Nicosia, President Christodoulides expressed doubts about the feasibility of these goals:

 “I do not consider it possible to achieve those goals within the timeframe we have set – it’s greatly challenging – without having made progress on major issues related to competitiveness,”

Cyprus’ Energy Dilemma

Cyprus faces its own challenges in the energy transition:

  • Aims to increase renewable energy production from 19-20% to 33% by 2030,
  • Simultaneously pursuing offshore natural gas development as a transitional fuel.

Cypriot Energy Minister George Papanastasiou believes natural gas will remain viable for “a few decades” as a fuel source.

Global Climate Talks: A Pessimistic Outlook

Reflecting on the COP29 summit in Azerbaijan, Christodoulides expressed low expectations for a global consensus on climate action:

 “To be perfectly honest, nothing I heard allows us to be particularly optimistic on the targets towards green transition,”

Balancing Act: Climate Goals vs. Economic Competitiveness

The president’s comments highlight a growing debate within the EU about balancing ambitious climate targets with economic realities. As countries like Cyprus struggle to meet renewable energy goals while still relying on fossil fuels, the path to a green transition appears increasingly complex.

This situation underscores the need for a nuanced approach to climate policy, one that considers both environmental imperatives and economic feasibility in the pursuit of sustainable development.

TikTok Returns To US App Stores 

TikTok is once again available for download in the Apple and Google app stores in the US, following a delay in the enforcement of its ban by former President Donald Trump. The ban’s postponement until April 5 gives the administration additional time to evaluate the situation.

Key Developments

The decision to restore TikTok access came after Google and Apple received reassurances from the Trump administration that they would not face legal consequences for reinstating the Chinese-owned app. According to Bloomberg, US Attorney General Pam Bondi sent a letter outlining these guarantees.

In an executive order signed on January 20, Trump instructed the attorney general not to take enforcement action for 75 days, providing time for his administration to determine how to proceed.

Uncertain Future For TikTok In The US

While TikTok is back on the US app stores, its long-term survival remains uncertain. If no deal is reached by early April to address national security concerns, the app may face another shutdown. ByteDance, the parent company, has insisted that TikTok is not for sale.

Legislation And Pressure On ByteDance

The Protecting Americans from Foreign Enemy-Controlled Apps Act, which passed with bipartisan support in Congress, mandates a nationwide ban on TikTok unless ByteDance sells its US operations. This law was signed by President Joe Biden in April of last year.

In late January, the app was briefly removed from US stores following the ban’s activation, impacting over 170 million American users. However, TikTok was restored soon after, following Trump’s intervention in his first hours as president. During that time, he signed an executive order allowing 75 days for a deal that would safeguard national security. Trump also suggested that the US could take a 50% stake in TikTok, a move he believed would keep the app “in good hands.”

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