In the fight against climate change, the EU wants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent by 2040 compared to 1990.
Dec 10, 2025, 02:28Dec 10, 2025, 06:36
An agreement reached in Brussels by negotiators from the member states and the European Parliament also envisages postponing a controversial measure for more climate protection by one year, according to communications from both sides. The compromise now has to be formally sealed, but this is considered a formality.
The EU Parliament has set a new climate target for 2040.Image: keystone
In the EU there were already established climate targets before the agreement, the current one is another intermediate stage. By 2030, emissions must fall by 55 percent compared to 1990. The EU wants to be climate-neutral by 2050, meaning it does not want to emit more greenhouse gases than can be sequestered again. According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), the EU is currently largely on track to meet the 2030 target. According to the EU climate law, a binding target is still needed by 2040. An exact date for when it should come into force is not known.
Commission proposal significantly weakened
The agreement now reached with the European Parliament was preceded by long debates among the EU countries. The basis for the 2040 target was a proposal presented by the European Commission in July, which has now been significantly weakened. In view of economic burdens, a tense geopolitical environment and industrial problems, there was resistance in some EU states – for example against the 90 percent reduction, which was sometimes criticized as being too high.
EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra said the agreement was pragmatic and ambitious, providing speed, predictability and flexibility. “Above all, it shows that climate, competitiveness and independence go hand in hand and sends a strong signal to our global partners,” said the Dutchman.
Credit climate protection abroad
While the international community must achieve the existing climate targets on its own soil, up to five percentage points for the new interim target can be achieved from 2036 through climate certificates from abroad. However, the details still need to be clarified.
Climate certificates from non-EU countries should be able to offset greenhouse gas emissions that arise in the EU: This should make it possible to buy emission credits for projects that store or remove carbon from the atmosphere and add them to domestic reductions.
When using foreign certificates for compensation, critics fear that economically less powerful states in the Global South will deliberately set their national climate targets lower in order to have Europeans pay for increases – or that reductions could be counted twice.
The price explosion for heating should be prevented
The negotiators from the member states and the European Parliament have now also agreed that fuels such as petrol and natural gas will only be included in the trading system with greenhouse gas certificates from 2028, a year later than planned. This is intended to avoid large price jumps for consumers when it comes to refueling and heating.
With so-called emissions trading, companies have to prove their rights to emit greenhouse gases. Actually, fuels should also be included from 2027, which particularly affects the transport and building sectors.
Greenhouse gases are gases in the Earth’s atmosphere that contribute to the greenhouse effect and therefore play an important role in climate change. Climate-relevant greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane and nitrous oxide.
The goal should be checked regularly
In addition, it has now been decided that the EU Commission should review every two years whether the EU is moving in the right direction – and whether the 2040 target is compatible with Europe’s competitiveness and scientific knowledge. If necessary, the Commission should also be able to make new legislative proposals. If carbon sinks such as forests or moors contribute less to reducing emissions than expected, the reduction target should be able to be reduced.
Green MP Lena Schilling describes the agreement on a 90 percent reduction in emissions as a “hard-fought milestone”. “We fought for every millimeter more ambition,” said the Austrian. In order to really achieve the goal, a change of course in the EU is needed, Schilling added: “With the current hollowing out and weakening of climate laws, we will not achieve this goal.”
Linda Kalcher from the Brussels think tank Strategic Perspectives spoke of a positive signal: “Contrary to the political rhetoric in many countries, there is still a consensus on climate protection.” The new goal creates clarity for investors and companies, so innovation and competitiveness can be promoted. (sda/dpa)