The European Commission has postponed the announcement of the European Union's 2040 climate goal until the second quarter of 2025.
Euractiv reports that this was announced to the European Parliament by Teresa Ribera, the Vice-President of the European Commission for a clean, just, and competitive transition.
It was earlier planned that the EU's climate goal for 2040 would be made public in the first quarter of this year.
What is the reason behind the delay
It is expected that the EU will set a target for 2040 during the period between reducing CO2 emissions by 55% by 2030 and reaching zero in 2050. This will set the right direction in terms of climate action. Some officials say that the key is to take more action at an earlier stage, while others believe that a rather slower pace is required.
Given the conflict, the European Commission was forced to postpone the 2040 climate goal until the second quarter. Officially, the EU's primary executive arm insists that the proposal for the 2040 climate target will be ready by the end of the month. One of Euractiv's sources familiar with the process suggested that early April is a more likely scenario.
What are the consequences
The slowdown will be noticeable in the future, as the 2040 target is crucial in order for the EU to present a 2035 climate goal at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in November in Belém, Brazil.
EU climate-related advisors issue propose to reduce emissions by 90-95% by 2040. Meanwhile, the Berlin-based think tank CEP stated that a 78% target would provide the optimal economic result.
The European Commission has now said it will suggest a target of 90%.
In early March, EcoPolitic has reported that the EU may soften regulations concerning methane emissions in order not to conflict with US President Donald Trump. We have also informed that the European Commission would propose that EU countries should reduce emissions by 90% by 2040.
