As the European Commission prepares to propose a new EU emissions reduction target for 2040 by this summer, as part of the review of European climate legislation, the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change is calling on the institutions to maintain a high level of ambition.
In the report ‘Scientific Advice for Amending the European Climate Law - Setting Climate Goals to Strengthen EU Strategic Priorities’, published on Monday 2 June, the experts recommend aiming for a 90-95% net reduction in national greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, compared to 1990 levels, a recommendation made while the Member States debate the exact level of the target to be set.
According to Politico, the Commissioner for Climate Action, Wopke Hoekstra, is said to have argued in the context of discussions between the German parties with a view to forming a government, for a 90% target, on condition that it takes account of a margin of flexibility through the use of international carbon credits.
This position has reportedly been incorporated into the coalition agreement currently being finalised in Germany, allowing up to three percentage points of the target to be achieved abroad.
According to the European Scientific Advisory Board, a target of between 90 and 95% is a “scientifically sound” path towards climate neutrality by 2050.
The report explains that the EU has already reduced its emissions by 32% between 1990 and 2022, but points out that there are still major disparities between sectors and between countries.
It points the finger at the use of international carbon credits, which could divert resources from domestic efforts and compromise the environmental integrity of the target.
In addition, the 2040 target would be useful for medium-term political visibility, to secure investment in clean technologies, electrification and innovation, while reducing Europe’s dependence on imported fossil fuels.
Finally, the report criticises the weakness of European adaptation policies and calls for a more solid legal framework. In fact, Europe is the continent that is warming the fastest. The experts believe that there is an urgent need to establish clear and measurable adaptation targets in the EU, with a view to COP30 next November.
The report: https://aeur.eu/f/h55 (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)