EU sets 2040 goal to cut emissions by 90%

February 13, 2025

The European Union’s executive will propose a law by the end of March to set an interim emissions-reduction target for the bloc at 90% by 2040, advancing its ambitious climate agenda. 
 
The goal, included in the European Commission’s work program published on Wednesday, will be included in an amendment to the European Climate Law, which makes binding the region’s 2050 net zero target. The commission has said it will stay the course on climate despite President Donald Trump’s reversal on US green goals and a rightward tilt in the European Parliament.

The new goal will set a slightly steeper emissions-reduction path to climate neutrality compared with the current track. The EU now has a binding target to cut greenhouse gases by at least 55% by 2030 compared with 1990 levels.

The 2040 aim, floated by the commission last year, has been criticized by far-right political groups in the EU assembly and drew criticism from some member states for being too strict at a time when the bloc is suffering from high energy prices and losing its competitive edge against China and the US. 
 
To offer a remedy, the commission plans to unveil on Feb. 26 a plan to boost Europe’s industrial competitiveness and ensure affordable energy. 
 
The 2040 target will also provide the basis to calculate the EU’s 2035 emissions-reduction commitment under the climate-protection Paris Agreement. The 27-nations bloc wants to be at the forefront of the fight against global warming.