EU-external carbon emissions

Question for written answer  E-000741/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Angel Dzhambazki (ECR)

The European Union, which has a binding target of reducing greenhouse gases by 55% over 1990 levels by 2030 and is operating the world’s largest carbon market, wants to become climate-neutral by the middle of the century by means of the Green Deal. Measures to tighten up on existing climate targets, which will trigger an increase in carbon prices within the EU, are a central pillar of this strategy. However, electricity is currently being generated at coal-fired power stations operated by non-EU countries, but on European soil, and they do not plan to stop. As there are no carbon quotas in such countries (Turkey, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina), the energy produced costs less than in EU countries, making imports from these countries all the more attractive.

How will the Commission tackle this problem of the polluting potential of coal-fired power stations run by non-EU countries, but on European soil?