- EU targets 90% emissions cut for climate aim
- Agriculture proposal modified
- 2050 net-zero goal maintained
The European Commission has set an ambitious objective, advising the European Union to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent by 2040. This significant measure of political resolve aims to combat climate change ahead of the upcoming EU elections.
Despite aligning with the recommendations of the European Union’s official climate science advisers, the EU executive modified a portion of the agriculture recommendation. This change came after weeks of farmer protests against EU green regulations, among other grievances.
Initially, a draft seen by Reuters suggested agriculture would need to cut non-CO2 emissions by 30 percent from 2015 levels by 2040 to meet the overall climate goal. However, this requirement was removed from the final version.
European Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra emphasized the need for a balanced approach upon presenting the proposal to the European Parliament. He noted the widespread recognition of climate change’s consequences among citizens and their desire for protection, balanced with concerns about livelihood impacts.
Political Tensions Over Climate Policy
The environmental issue has stirred political turbulence, evidenced by European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen retracting a plan to halve chemical pesticide use by this decade’s end. This decision followed extensive farmer protests across the bloc and legislative process halts due to EU lawmaker and member state divisions.
On Tuesday, farmers demonstrated outside the European Parliament, expressing frustration over declining incomes, rising costs, and increasingly stringent environmental regulations.
The European Union, comprising 27 members, is already working towards a 55 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 as an interim goal. Yet, growing discontent poses challenges in achieving the ambitious 2040 target of a 90 percent reduction.
The proposal’s political debate starts with its introduction but will be finalized by a new EU Parliament and Commission post-June elections. Polls suggest a potential rightward shift in the EU Parliament, possibly complicating ambitious climate policy implementation.
Strategic Climate Goals and Challenges
In response to political resistance from certain EU governments and legislators, the EU’s plan seeks to maintain public support for climate policy and secure a competitive edge in Europe’s clean-tech sectors before the elections.
This 2040 objective is part of the EU’s strategy to stay on course for its 2050 goal of net-zero emissions, aligning with its 2030 climate ambitions.
Europe’s climate agenda faces challenges as it begins affecting sensitive sectors like agriculture, while traditional industries compete against China in green technology.
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A second EU document calls for capturing and storing hundreds of millions of tons of CO2 emissions by 2050, highlighting the need for substantial investment in new technologies.
The 2040 goal aims to transform Europe’s energy landscape, eliminating coal-fired power and reducing fossil fuel consumption by 80 percent, with renewables and nuclear energy as replacements.
The draft also warns of financial impacts from failing to address climate change, projecting an additional $2.6 trillion cost by 2050 due to extreme weather, assuming a global warming increase beyond pre-industrial levels by 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit).
Since 1990, the EU has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 33 percent as of 2022.
