Could the EU Drive Climate Leadership and Spark Economic Success?

European Commission’s 90% Emission Target Faces Pushback

A fresh policy set by the European Commission, aiming for a 90% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 relative to 1990 levels, has sparked widespread criticism across the continent.

Who’s Speaking Out?

• European Parliament members
• National governments
• Environmental NGOs

Key concerns include:

• Feasibility of achieving such an ambitious reduction
• Potential economic repercussions for member states
• Insufficient consideration of regional disparities

EU Struggles to Balance Climate Goals with Economic Power

EU Decoded outlets in this episode tackle the pressing question: can the 27-member union maintain its climate leadership while staying an economic powerhouse?

Key Planning Points

• Climate Law Commitment: The Union pledged climate neutrality by 2050.
• 2030 Target: Reduce greenhouse‑gas emissions by 55% from 1990 levels.
• 2040 Review: Current legislation, spearheaded by EU officials, is set for a mid‑century reassessment.
• Carbon Trade Option: Proposed allowance for member states to engage in global carbon markets to offset emissions.

These measures aim to keep the EU at the forefront of global climate policy without sacrificing its economic dynamism.

Euronews Insight: EU’s New Emission Flexibility Plan

In a recent interview on Euronews, correspondent Gregoire Lory explained how the European Union is considering a novel approach to meet its climate targets. The proposed policy would allow an EU member country to contract a non‑EU entity to help lower its greenhouse‑gas emissions. Even the EU itself acknowledges that this could bring additional flexibility into the system, though environmental groups have expressed strong concerns.

Key Elements of the Proposal

• Third‑Party Purchasing – Member states could pay an external partner to implement emissions‑reducing projects. The concept is rooted in the idea that buying carbon removal could be as effective as generating reductions locally.
• Nature‑Based and Tech‑Driven Removals – The plan supports both forest and soil restoration projects and industrial carbon‑capture technologies. However, NGOs argue that the available industrial solutions still lack the maturity needed for large‑scale deployment.
• Sector‑Specific Balancing – Industries that are ahead in meeting their cutback commitments may offer compensation to those falling behind, creating an internal trade system for reductions.

Environmental Groups’ Response

Non‑governmental organizations have dismissed the proposal as “nonsense” because they feel it conflicts with prevailing scientific advice. They challenge the viability of the industrial removal mechanisms and raise concerns about the overall transparency of this new scheme.

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‘We can’t solve the climate crisis alone’

European Parliament Rejects Fast‑Track Review

Political Dynamics Hinder Progress

Efforts to accelerate the review within the European Parliament were ultimately blocked. According to Greens MEP Lena Schilling of Austria, the far‑right bloc and the centre‑right European People’s Party (EPP) effectively stalled the motion.

Schilling added: “The far right and the EPP have put an end to the fast‑track plan. Now, together with social democrats and liberals, we are working to bring the EPP on board. Our goal is to constructively collaborate, produce a new report, and adopt further amendments.”

Friction with the Commission

France’s President Emmanuel Macron, in June, urged the European Commission to postpone its proposal. He argued that additional time was required to forge a compromise capable of safeguarding the bloc’s waning global competitiveness.

Schilling expressed her frustration, stating that Macron’s position “really disrupts the next COP negotiations” scheduled for Brazil in November.

She emphasized that the climate crisis cannot be solved solely by Europe, urging cooperation with China, the United States, India, and other nations. “We need NDCs that do not merely serve as a bailout.” She warned this approach was “extremely dangerous,” calling it irresponsible.

Shifting Focus of the Commission

The Commission’s latest proposal for the 2028‑2034 budget, totalling €2 trillion, prioritised competitiveness, security, and defence. Climate‑change measures have moved lower on the agenda.

Behind the Scenes

• Journalists: Alice Tidey, Isabel Marques da Silva
• Content Production: Pilar Montero López
• Video Production: Zacharia Vigneron
• Graphic Design: Loredana Dumitru
• Editorial Coordination: Ana Lázaro Bosch, Jeremy Fleming‑Jones