EU says 'well on track' to reach 2030 climate targets
BRUSSELS - The European Union is on track to reach its 2030 climate targets, but uncertainty remains over the bloc's ambitions to cut greenhouse gas emissions much further by 2040.
The European Commission expects emissions to fall by 54 percent by 2030 compared to 1990, very close to its 55 percent target, it said, after analysing member states' energy and climate plans for the coming years.
"Emissions are down 37 percent since 1990, while the economy has grown nearly 70 percent -- proving climate action and growth go hand in hand. Now we must build on this momentum," said the EU's climate chief, Wopke Hoekstra.
Brussels also pointed to disparities between member states and highlighted the problems of protecting forests and carbon storage.
The commission singled out Belgium, Estonia and Poland, which have not submitted their energy and climate plans, urging them to "do so without delay".
"We have reasons to be proud, although we cannot be satisfied. We've come a long way, but we're not where we need to be yet," said energy commissioner Dan Jorgensen.
The EU has set a goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050, and Brussels wants to agree on an interim target for 2040 -- with the commission seeking to cut emissions by 90 percent compared to 1990 levels.
- Flexibility -
But negotiations are stalling between EU countries on the 2040 target, and the commission has shied away from formally proposing the 90 percent cut to member states.
For some countries like the Czech Republic and Italy, the target is unrealistic.
The bloc has this year focused on ramping up European businesses' competitiveness against fierce competition in the United States and China.
The commission is considering greater flexibility in its calculations for 2040, including through the purchase of carbon credits on international markets.
The EU's executive arm insists it will submit a formal proposal before the summer and stresses that the bloc will be ready for the next UN COP30 climate conference, which will be held in November in the Amazonian city of Belem in Brazil.
The delays have raised concerns among environmental groups, which have called for Europe to take the lead on tackling climate change after US President Donald Trump's withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement after he returned to the White House in January.
The organisations are also fearful of a wholesale unravelling of the European Green Deal, a landmark package of measures that defined commission chief Ursula von der Leyen's first term in office but has since come increasingly under fire.
by Adrien De Calan
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