Europe EU sets new climate protection target
In the fight against climate change, the EU wants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent by 2040 compared to 1990 levels. An agreement reached in Brussels by negotiators from the member states and the European Parliament also provides for a controversial measure for more climate protection to be postponed by one year, according to communications from both sides. The compromise must now be formally sealed, but this is considered a formality.
10.12.2025, 01:10
SDA
The EU already had fixed climate targets before the agreement was reached; the current one is a further interim stage. By 2030, emissions must fall by 55 percent compared to 1990 levels. By 2050, the EU wants to be climate-neutral, i.e. not emit more greenhouse gases than can be absorbed. According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), the EU is currently largely on track to achieve the 2030 target. However, according to the EU Climate Law, a binding target is also needed by 2040. An exact date for when this is to come into force is not known.
Commission proposal significantly weakened
The agreement now reached with the European Parliament was preceded by long debates among the EU countries. The basis for the 2040 target was a proposal presented by the European Commission in July, which has now been significantly weakened. In view of economic burdens, a tense geopolitical environment and problems in industry, there had been resistance in some EU countries - for example against the 90 percent reduction, which was criticized in some cases as being too high.
EU Climate Action Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra has now said that the agreement is pragmatic and ambitious and provides speed, predictability and flexibility. "Above all, it shows that climate, competitiveness and independence go hand in hand and sends a strong signal to our global partners," said the Dutchman.
Crediting climate protection abroad
While the international community must achieve the existing climate targets on its own soil, up to five percentage points of the new interim target can be achieved from 2036 through climate certificates from abroad. However, the details of this still need to be clarified.
It should be possible to offset greenhouse gas emissions generated in the EU with climate certificates from non-EU countries: It should therefore be possible to buy emission credits for carbon storage or removal projects from the atmosphere and add them to domestic reductions.
When using foreign certificates for offsetting, critics fear that economically less powerful countries in the Global South could deliberately set their national climate targets lower in order to have the Europeans pay for increases - or that reductions could be counted twice.
Price explosion for heating to be prevented
The negotiators from the member states and the European Parliament have now also agreed to include fuels such as petrol and natural gas in the trading system for greenhouse gas certificates from 2028, one year later than planned. This is intended to prevent large price jumps for consumers when filling up and heating their homes for the time being.
In emissions trading, companies have to prove that they have the right to emit greenhouse gases. In fact, fuels should also be included from 2027, which particularly affects the transport and building sectors.
Greenhouse gases are gases in the earth's atmosphere that contribute to the greenhouse effect and therefore play an important role in climate change. Climate-relevant greenhouse gases include, for example, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane and nitrous oxide.
Target to be reviewed regularly
In addition, it has now been decided that the EU Commission should review every two years whether the EU is moving in the right direction - and whether the 2040 target is compatible with Europe's competitiveness and scientific findings. If necessary, the Commission should also be able to make new legislative proposals. If carbon sinks such as forests or peatlands contribute less to reducing emissions than assumed, it should be possible to reduce the reduction target.
Green MEP Lena Schilling describes the agreement on a 90 percent reduction in emissions as a "hard-won milestone". "We fought for every millimeter more ambition", said the Austrian. However, in order to really achieve the target, a change of course is needed in the EU, Schilling added: "We will not achieve this target with the current undermining and weakening of climate laws."
Linda Kalcher from the Brussels-based think tank Strategic Perspectives spoke of a positive signal: "Contrary to the political rhetoric in many countries, climate protection is still a matter of consensus." The new target creates clarity for investors and companies, allowing innovation and competitiveness to be driven forward.
