Latest news with #EU2040
Japan Times
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
EU's far right to help shape 2040 climate goals after vote fails
A far-right group in the European Parliament is set to have influence over shaping the European Union's 2040 climate goals, after lawmakers on Wednesday failed to gather enough votes in their first attempt to curb its role in negotiations. An initiative to fast-track the legislation — which would have stripped power from the climate-skeptical Patriots of Europe group — fell short due to insufficient backing from the center-right European People's Party. In the EU assembly, the plan for urgent consideration of the greenhouse gas reduction law was backed by the Socialists & Democrats, Renew and Greens. The legislation is aimed at cutting emissions 90% by 2040 from 1990 levels. Though the parliament has now opted for more time to consider the law, the EPP said after the vote that a fast-track agreement is still possible before the EU presents its emissions-cutting plans before the United Nations climate talks in November in Brazil. The EU wants the plans for 2035, known as NDC, to be linked to its 2040 goal. "Our responsibility lies with a view to the international process, the necessity to deliver an NDC in due time and give a positive signal to the climate conference in Belem,' said Peter Liese, the group's lead lawmaker on environment. "On the other hand, we think that Europe needs to lead by example by keeping industry inside Europe and helping them to decarbonize and keep citizens on board.' The EPP is the biggest group in the parliament and the political home of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who depends on backing from the Socialists, Renew and Greens for majority support. The three groups have defined climate as a key issue on their agendas. Pascal Canfin, a senior lawmaker for the liberal Renew, said the four parties could make another attempt at triggering a fast-track procedure on the 2040 goal in September if the far-right tried to delay the climate law. The Patriots have the right to nominate a lead lawmaker, meaning the group can steer the climate proposal through the parliament, have a say on dates and represent the assembly in talks with member states and the commission about the final shape of the law. The parliament as well as member states in the EU Council each have the right to submit amendments to the commission's original proposal. Climate progressives had hoped the European Parliament would swiftly endorse a 90% emissions reduction target, increasing pressure on hesitant EU member states to follow suit. The EU must submit its 2035 climate plan to the U.N. ahead of COP30 in Belem. Any delay or dilution of ambition could undermine the bloc's credibility as a global climate leader. EU member states are set to discuss the 2040 target for the first time at an informal meeting of environment ministers in Aalborg, Denmark, on Thursday.
Free Malaysia Today
30-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
EU to propose more flexible climate goal in July
After months of delay, the 2040 EU climate target will be decided on July 2. (EPA Images pic) BRUSSELS : The European Commission will propose a new EU climate target in July that includes flexibilities for how countries meet it, as Brussels attempts to fend off mounting criticism of Europe's environmental aims, EU diplomats told Reuters. The EU's climate commissioner, Wopke Hoekstra, confirmed plans to present an EU climate target for 2040 on July 2, during a meeting with EU countries' representatives on Wednesday, diplomats familiar with the closed-door talks told Reuters. The proposal will set an EU goal to cut net greenhouse gas emissions 90% by 2040, compared with 1990 levels, the diplomats said. However, the EU executive plans to add flexibilities to that target, which could reduce what it demands from domestic industries. The flexibilities include setting an emissions-cutting target for domestic industries that is lower than 90% and letting countries buy international carbon credits to make up the rest, to reach 90%, the diplomats said. A European Commission spokesman declined to comment on the plans. The commission has promised not to weaken Europe's ambitious climate aims, despite mounting criticism from governments and lawmakers concerned about the cost for European businesses, which are struggling with high energy prices and looming US tariffs. Europe is the world's fastest-warming continent. The commission has delayed its 2040 climate proposal for months, and has weakened other green laws in recent months to try to calm the political pushback. EU countries are split over the 2040 goal, which they and EU lawmakers must approve. Finland, the Netherlands and Denmark are among those backing a 90% emissions cut. Opponents include Italy and the Czech Republic. Germany has backed a 90% target if countries can use international carbon credits to meet three percentage points of the goal. The commission is also considering softening requirements for countries to cut emissions in specific sectors – giving them more choice over which industries do the heavy lifting to meet the goal, the diplomats said. The 2040 goal will aim to keep EU countries on track between their 2030 emissions target – which they are nearly on track to meet – and the EU's aim to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
Arab News
30-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
EU to propose more flexible climate goal in July, sources say
BRUSSELS: The European Commission will propose a new EU climate target in July that includes flexibilities for how countries meet it, as Brussels attempts to fend off mounting criticism of Europe's environmental aims, EU diplomats told European Union's climate commissioner, Wopke Hoekstra, confirmed plans to present an EU climate target for 2040 on July 2, during a meeting with EU countries' representatives on Wednesday, diplomats familiar with the closed-door talks told proposal will set an EU goal to cut net greenhouse gas emissions 90 percent by 2040, compared with 1990 levels, the diplomats said. However, the EU executive plans to add flexibilities to that target, which could reduce what it demands from domestic flexibilities include setting an emissions-cutting target for domestic industries that is lower than 90 percent and letting countries buy international carbon credits to make up the rest, to reach 90 percent, the diplomats said.A European Commission spokesperson declined to comment on the Commission has promised not to weaken Europe's ambitious climate aims, despite mounting criticism from governments and lawmakers concerned about the cost for European businesses, which are struggling with high energy prices and looming US is the world's fastest-warming continent. The Commission has delayed its 2040 climate proposal for months, and has weakened other green laws in recent months to try to calm the political countries are split over the 2040 goal, which they and EU lawmakers must approve. Finland, the Netherlands and Denmark are among those backing a 90 percent emissions cut. Opponents include Italy and the Czech has backed a 90 percent target if countries can use international carbon credits to meet three percentage points of the Commission is also considering softening requirements for countries to cut emissions in specific sectors — giving them more choice over which industries do the heavy lifting to meet the goal, the diplomats 2040 goal will aim to keep EU countries on track between their 2030 emissions target — which they are nearly on track to meet — and the EU's aim to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
