EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra has confirmed his climate ambition for 2040: a 90 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990. This target aligns with the scientifically recommended pathway to climate neutrality in 2050.
At the same time, the Commission is introducing a computational adjustment. EU countries may, under certain conditions, include foreign emission reductions in their national calculations. This concerns, for example, investments in climate projects outside the EU.
The new proposal means that EU countries get more flexibility to achieve the target. According to Hoekstra, this approach is necessary to take into account differences between member states in economic capacity and existing climate measures. A binding national target per country has not been proposed, to the disappointment of environmental organizations.
Local authorities from over 400 cities have criticized this approach. In a joint appeal, they call for a binding emission target per member state, without foreign offsetting. They fear the current proposal will lead to delay and unequal effort.
Environmental organizations also express concerns. They fear that allowing foreign credits undermines the credibility of the EU target. They point out that real reduction within Europe is necessary to address the climate crisis and limit health damage caused by air pollution.
According to Brussels, maintaining the 90 percent target is essential to meet the Paris goals and keep the energy transition affordable. The European Commission emphasizes that the flexibility increases the chances that EU countries will participate rather than drop out.
France had earlier called for postponing the setting of the 2040 target but did not receive support. Environment Commissioner Ribera called any delay “a mistake.” She stated that long-term clarity is needed for investments in clean energy and industrial innovation.