The EU took another step towards setting a 2040 climate target of a 90 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions on Thursday, when the European Parliament adopted its position on the EU's 2040 climate target by a vote.
Unless amended, it is close to the EU countries' position on a 2040 climate target of a 90 percent reduction with room for the use of international climate credits. This is welcomed by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who is representing the EU at the COP30 climate conference.
- As the crucial COP30 conference takes place in Belém, Europe is showing that climate action and competitiveness go hand in hand.
- The Parliament's vote on our proposal to reduce CO2 emissions by 90 percent by 2040 is a very welcome development. And an important step on our path towards climate neutrality by 2050, writes von der Leyen on X.
The Greens in the EU Parliament would have liked to see a more ambitious 2040 target. But it was important that Thursday's vote resulted in a no to the right-wing's attempt to slow down the 2040 target, says SF's member of the EU Parliament, Rasmus Nordqvist.
- It is sad that the member states had Europe's climate ambitions amputated. But now it is more important that we get a climate target in place than that the right-wing in the European Parliament gets the opportunity to completely smash it, says Rasmus Nordqvist.
SF, as part of the Greens political group, has been skeptical about the use of international climate credits to secure part of the reductions in greenhouse gases.
Climate credits are investments in projects in third countries that reduce CO2 emissions. This can make it cheaper to reduce emissions. However, the credits have previously been criticized by climate organizations for being uncertain.
- You should not be able to pay for climate action. That is why it is good that the climate credits are not just an easy exercise for the member states. Then we hope that more countries will invest in Europe and not just send billions out of Europe to avoid climate action, says Rasmus Nordqvist.
DI and Danish Business satisfied with agreement
For the business community, the vote means increased security for future investments, believes DI's climate manager, Anne Højer Simonsen.
- It is really gratifying that the parliament has voted for the climate target of 90 percent. This creates predictability and sends a clear signal to the entire European business community to invest even greener in the future, says Anne Højer Simonsen.
The Danish EU Presidency can take some of the credit for the fact that there is now a consensus on the 2040 target, says Ulrich Bang, deputy director of the Confederation of Danish Industry.
- It has been difficult negotiations and great praise to the Danish EU Presidency for having reached an agreement. We must not give up on the transition. It also contains the answer to how Europe can free itself from dependence on imported energy, strengthen security of supply and ensure more competitive energy prices for the benefit of both business and consumers, says Ulrich Bang.
/ritzau/
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