Brussels Faces pressure to Reinforce โ2040 Climateโ Goal as Ambitions โคStall
Brussels – โคEuropean climate ambitions are facing headwinds as leaders prepareโฃ to discuss interim targets ahead of โa 2050 net-zero deadline,with โconcerns mounting that โคpreviously adopted climate policies are being weakened. Teh debate centers on a proposed 90% emissions reduction target by 2040, championed by Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra, which some argue is crucial for achieving the ultimate goal.
Experts warn the final 10% โofโ emissions reductions will be the most challenging. “Our European colleagues haveโ advised that 90 โฃpercent for a reason,” stated heleen de Coninck, climate scientist and vice-chairman of the dutch Scientific Climateโ Council. “The last 10 percent reduction in emissions is the most arduous.That is why โit โคis significant to reachโ 90โ percent by 2040. Then you increase the โchance that you will achieve your goals in 2050.”
Despite lower climate ambitions from major emitters like the United States and china,de Coninck insistsโฃ the EU must maintainโ its course,asserting,”If we don’t do it,no one will.” She also highlighted China‘s โadvancements in green technology, urging Europe to accelerateโ its own innovation.”We really have to step up our game toโ be able to participate in this race. Andโข youโค can do that โฃby setting those goals and by really encouragingโ yourโฃ private sector andโค yourโ businessโ community.”
The push for a 2040 target comes asโค existing EU climate policy faces setbacks. A law to combat deforestation has been postponed twice, sustainability โrules have been weakened, and even the planned phase-out of petrol and diesel cars by 2035 is underโ pressure. โค
While some โคclimate optimists believe โthe EU is on โtrack toโ achieve an 88% reduction by 2040 without a legally mandated interim target, critics argue thatโ recent policy reversals necessitate a firmโข commitment.โค
European leaders are expectedโ to outline a political course on โขThursday, with climate ministers scheduled to convene inโ two weeks โขto develop a concrete plan translatingโค those directivesโฃ into actionableโ measures. Hoekstra has previously emphasized the importance of heeding “the scientific community and itsโ advice.”