EU sets the conditions for a new climate target

European Union leaders agreed on Thursday that the bloc would move forward with setting a 2040 emissions target, something it is rushing to do ahead of next month’s global climate talks at the UN, despite growing rejection of green measures by some member states. The EU is trying to approve a new target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040 in order to put the bloc on track for net-zero emissions by 2050, which scientists see as an essential step to avoid the worst effects of global warming. The 2040 target aims to keep the EU on track between its current legally binding commitment to reduce emissions by 55% by 2030 and the 2050 target. EU state leaders agreed on Thursday to go ahead with the 2040 target, but are leaving details for a meeting where ministers will approve them on Nov. 4. It’s an arduous task, as leaders failed to resolve key sticking points, such as how much of the 90% emissions reduction target countries can meet by buying carbon credits abroad.

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