By Kate Abnett

BRUSSELS, (Reuters) – The European Union should accelerate negotiations regarding new climate change policy and increase ambition for those plans to end Russian fossil fuels immediately. This was the advice of 11 countries on Thursday.

This year’s EU nations and European Parliament will be negotiating green measures. These include revamping the EU’s Carbon Market, banning new engine cars in 2035 and higher goals to increase renewable energy.

They are intended to decrease net EU greenhouse gas emission by 55% between 1990 and 2030. Their links to energy security are now in the forefront as the EU seeks to reduce its dependence on Russian fuels. This is partly due to renewable energy and energy saving.

It is time to act boldly and move forward with determination in the “green transition”. In a joint statement that 11 EU member countries saw and which will be published by Reuters on Thursday, they stated: “Any delay in action or hesitation will only prolong energy dependence.”

They urged countries to support the proposal and said that negotiations on the package needed to be “accelerated”

Denmark led the statement and was signed by Austria Germany Spain Finland Ireland Luxembourg Latvia Latvia Netherlands Sweden Slovenia.

Dan Jorgensen, Danish climate minister, stated that the nations were calling for an “green path to EU energy independency of Russian fossil fuels” as quickly as possible.

However, not all countries will agree. Viktor Orban of Hungary, the prime minister, stated Wednesday that the EU must suspend its carbon market. It is the main tool for cutting emissions and was being affected by high prices. Poland stated that climate negotiations must be stopped to determine the effect of war.

Russia is the largest supplier of gas to Europe at 40%. According to the 11 nations, the rush to substitute that gas with non-Russian energy must not result in the locking of emissions and help the EU to reduce its net emissions to 2050.

Brussels anticipates that the proposed climate measures, if they are approved, will reduce EU gas consumption by 30% by 2030. A quicker expansion of renewable energy could help reduce energy bills. These have been rising amid the high prices for gas in recent months.