The EU commits to reducing emissions by 90% by 2040, but with more concessions to reluctant countries

The Twenty-seven agree in principle on the target proposed by the Commission and add more flexibilities for the States. The tough negotiation sets the final goal by law, which was a “red line” for countries like Spain

EU environment ministers have reached an agreement in principle to approve the reform of the European Climate Law that sets, black and white, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040 compared to 1990 levels. It was the “red line” defended by the most ambitious countries such as Spain. But to achieve this binding objective, they have had to give in to more flexibilities to convince the most reluctant states, in a long negotiation that has lasted a whole day and a night and that has yet to be formally closed, throughout this Wednesday morning. The regulation, which was due to be ready for the COP30 in Belém that starts this week, sets as “binding” the 90% target that some member states had come to question and that Spain and a large group of countries – some 14 came to meet in the vicinity of the long meeting – that they defended as a “red line” to maintain European climate ambition.

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