The European Commission officially unveiled the 2040 target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90% compared to the 1990 levels. The goal includes some flexibility to protect industrial competitiveness.
In 2021, the EU set itself the goal of becoming climate-neutral by the middle of the century in a binding climate law. For now, there is only one milestone on the road to achieving this: a 55% reduction in emissions by 2030. Collectively, the Member States are also on track to meet this target.
Now there is also a proposal for 2040. "Industry and investors look to us to set a predictable direction of travel. Today we show that we stand firmly by our commitment to decarbonise European economy by 2050. The goal is clear, the journey is pragmatic and realistic," stated Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
In a statement to the press, the Commission underscored the "flexibilities" that it will consider when designing future legislative instruments to achieve the climate target. This aims to give assurances to Member States that consider the 2040 target too difficult to achieve for their economies.
However, Environmental NGOs such as the WWF have warned that certain "flexibilities" can be damaging loopholes for the overall target.
Belgium does not yet have a clear position on 2040, but nothing prevents it from supporting a proposal to reduce emissions by 90%, Prime Minister Bart De Wever said at the last European summit.
