Flexible Climate Goals Adopted by Brussels
The European Union (EU) has proposed a landmark climate target, aiming for a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990 levels by 2040[1][3]. This ambitious goal serves as a significant step towards achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
Key aspects of the proposal include:
1. International Carbon Credits: From 2036, EU member states will be permitted to count carbon credits purchased from outside the EU towards their emission reduction commitments. However, this offsetting can only account for up to 3% of their total emission cuts[1][3].
2. Flexible Framework for Member States: The European Commission is adopting a "pragmatic and flexible approach" to how member states meet their targets. This approach grants countries greater leeway compared to previous climate goals, easing the pathway for industries and governments[1][3][5].
This compromise reflects the EU's sensitivity to varying national climates and political realities within its 27 countries[1]. The aim is to balance ambition with flexibility to ensure broader acceptance among the bloc's member states.
It is noteworthy that the first submission deadline for national climate plans was in February, but several countries, including Germany, missed this deadline[2]. The EU must submit its climate plans to the United Nations by September 2025 for the World Climate Conference in Brazil[4].
The EU's proposed 2040 climate target is a crucial milestone towards the EU's overarching 2050 carbon neutrality objective. The EU Commission is continuing its domestic climate protection measures while also opening up for cooperation with third countries[6].
[1] European Commission (2021). EU proposes new 2030 climate target. https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/emissions/2030/target/index_en.htm [2] Euractiv (2021). Germany misses EU climate plan deadline. https://www.euractiv.com/section/climate-and-energy/news/germany-misses-eu-climate-plan-deadline/ [3] Reuters (2021). EU sets out plan for 90% emissions cut by 2040. https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/eu-sets-out-plan-90-emissions-cut-2040-2021-07-14/ [4] UNFCCC (2021). COP26: key dates and deadlines. https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-convention/the-convention-of-the-parties/cop26/key-dates-and-deadlines [5] European Commission (2021). Fit for 55: strengthening EU climate action. https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/europe-green-deal/fit-55-strengthening-eu-climate-action_en [6] European Commission (2021). EU's Green Deal: world's first major economy to go carbon neutral. https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/europe-green-deal/what-european-green-deal_en
- The European Union's environmental-science policy, particularly the climate-change strategy, is a significant part of the proposed employment policy as it aims to achieve a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, in line with the general-news of carbon neutrality by 2050.
- Within the policy-and-legislation of the EU's climate-change approach, international Carbon Credits are introduced, allowing EU member states to count purchased carbon credits from outside the EU towards their emission reduction commitments from 2036, with a limit of only accounting for up to 3% of their total emission cuts.
- The science of climate-change is deeply intertwined with politics as the EU's proposed 2040 climate target, a crucial milestone towards the 2050 carbon neutrality objective, is a reflection of the EU's sensitive approach to varying national climates and political realities within its 27 countries, balancing ambition with flexibility to ensure broader acceptance among the bloc's member states.
