Members of the European Parliament’s Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety held a structured dialogue with the Commissioner for Climate Action, Wopke Hoekstra, on Monday 5 May.
The exchange provided an opportunity to take stock of progress on climate targets, as well as to discuss future legislative guidelines and the eagerly-awaited revision of the European Climate Law, including a target to reduce emissions by at least 90% by 2040 (see EUROPE 13344/1).
The Commissioner took stock of European climate policies and reported on progress made:
“We have seen a significant reduction in emissions in 2023, of 8.3%”, he said, adding that “ETS emissions are 55% lower than in 2005”. However, he reiterated that “we won’t achieve them if we don’t do the right thing”. And he insisted on the importance of the two main lines to be followed: industrial competitiveness and a fair transition.
Asked on several occasions about a formal proposal for 2040, Wopke Hoekstra was cautious. “I can’t give you an exact solution today, because discussions are still ongoing”, he said. Nevertheless, he specified that the targets “will be based on scientific data”.
“We need to be able to achieve majorities here in Parliament”, he stressed, reiterating the need for political consensus.
Pascal Canfin (Renew Europe, French ) urged the Commissioner to clarify his position: “Please confirm that you are working on this 90% hypothesis and do not confirm Alexandr Vondra’s interpretation”.
The latter (ECR, Czech) considered that not mentioning the target was “an expression of a certain political realism” and described the 90% as “pure political fantasy”.
Lena Schilling (Greens/EFA, Austrian) stressed the need for ambition. “95% is already the low end of what scientists recommend”, she insisted.
“We are in May 2025, with no proposal”, she added.
Similarly, Heléne Fritzon (S&D, Swedish) asked: “Can you show courage and go even further so that we can guarantee that the target will be met?”
Peter Liese (EPP, German) questioned European policy on green diplomacy. “The eyes of the world are on Europe”, he declared.
He also asked how the Commissioner intended to “work with China and others” in the run-up to COP30.
Finally, with regard to the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), Wopke Hoekstra stated: “EU exporters are often at a disadvantage (...). We intend to deal with downstream products, exports and bypasses by the end of the year”.
The Commissioner indicated that he hoped to be able to present clear objectives before the summer, without making any firm commitments. (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)