Climate targets for 2030 and 2050 already exist in Europe. Next week the EU Commission wants to set an interim target by 2040. A draft shows: Emissions must be significantly reduced.
In the fight against the climate crisis, the European Commission believes that greenhouse gas emissions in the EU should be reduced by 90 percent by 2040 compared to 1990. This emerges from a draft of the Brussels authority’s 2040 climate target, which is available to the German Press Agency. The Commission wants to officially present the new climate target next week.
The EU’s current goal is to reduce CO2 emissions by 55 percent by 2030 compared to 1990 and to become climate neutral by 2050. The “Fit for 55” legislative package under the umbrella of the so-called Green Deal is intended to ensure this. The strategy includes measures in various areas such as energy, transport, industry and agriculture. There is currently no interim target for 2040.
Three destination options
As can be seen from the draft, three target options for 2040 were examined. The consequences of reducing emissions by up to 80 percent compared to 1990 and by 85 to 90 percent were also analyzed. However, a reduction of 90 to 95 percent is the only option that corresponds to the recommendations of the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change and does not jeopardize the EU’s obligations under the Paris Agreement.
“Option 3 offers the EU the strongest climate action, which is needed more than ever to avoid irreversible tipping points with unknown and potentially catastrophic impacts on human society and ecosystems,” the authors wrote. The longer climate action is delayed, the higher the human and economic costs of climate change will be.
Lead by example
Last week, Germany and ten other countries called on the EU Commission to set an ambitious climate target for 2040. “We can only convince others to get involved if we do the work at home,” it said in a joint letter.
In June, the Scientific Advisory Board voted to reduce EU emissions by 90 to 95 percent by 2040 compared to 1990. This reduction is crucial to mitigating climate risks. In their latest report in the middle of the month, the scientists wrote that more needed to be done to achieve the EU’s climate goals. They did recognize the potential of the Fit for 55 package. However, additional measures are essential.
Green European MP Michael Bloss said the proposal was at the lower limit of what is scientifically necessary. “To be a credible leader in climate protection, the European Union must aim at the top end.” That is at least 95 percent CO2 reduction by 2040.
Source: Stern
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