The European Commission is gearing up to propose a new climate target for the EU in July. This plan aims to address growing concerns about Europe’s environmental goals. EU climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra announced that the proposal will be unveiled on July 2 during a meeting with representatives from EU countries.
The new target seeks to cut net greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040, using 1990 levels as a baseline. However, the Commission plans to introduce some flexibility in how countries can meet this target. This could mean that individual countries might not have to achieve the full 90% reduction on their own. Instead, they could set lower targets for their domestic industries and buy international carbon credits to help make up the difference.
Despite facing criticism from various governments and lawmakers about the potential costs for businesses, the Commission insists it will not weaken its climate ambitions. European businesses are currently dealing with high energy prices and concerns about tariffs from the U.S.
Europe is experiencing rapid warming, making this climate proposal even more urgent. The Commission has delayed the announcement for months and has already softened some environmental regulations to ease political pressure.
There is a divide among EU countries regarding the 2040 target. Countries like Finland, the Netherlands, and Denmark support the 90% reduction. In contrast, Italy and the Czech Republic oppose it. Germany has expressed support for the target but wants the option to use international carbon credits to achieve part of the goal.
The upcoming 2040 target is designed to keep EU countries aligned with their 2030 emissions goals and the broader aim of reaching net zero emissions by 2050. As the proposal date approaches, discussions will continue on how best to balance environmental goals with economic realities.