Brussels is making the 2040 announcement as much of Europe roasts in an early summer heatwave -- which scientists say are becoming more intense, frequent and widespread due to human-induced climate change.
After months of tough negotiations with EU capitals, the European Commission is finally set to stick to the objective it announced last year of cutting emissions by 90 percent by the year 2040.
From 2036, the commission could allow the bloc’s 27 member states to count carbon credits purchased to finance projects outside Europe towards their emission cuts, for up to three percent of the total, according to a draft document seen by AFP.
“Three percent is not insignificant. These are potentially considerable sums that will be spent abroad instead of financing the transition” in Europe, said Neil Makaroff, an expert at the climate-focused Strategic Perspectives think tank.
‘Don’t strain ourselves’
It will only become law after EU lawmakers also sign off on the target.
But that gives little time for negotiations, which have been complicated by a rightward shift and rising climate scepticism in many European countries.
For some states, including the Czech Republic, the 90-percent target is unrealistic.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has suggested a target of 80 or 85 percent, while France has expressed doubts over how the EU will reach its objective.
But the commission can count on the support of other countries including Spain and Denmark, which took over the rotating EU presidency this week.
When it comes to Europe’s international commitments, Macron has also stressed that the bloc is only bound to present a midway target for 2035 at COP30 in Belem, and not the 2040 objective.
“Let’s not strain ourselves,“ Macron told reporters last week. “If we have (a 2040 target) for Belem, great, but if it takes longer, let’s take the time,“ he said.
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