Exactly one year ago, on 6 February 2024, the European Commission released its proposal for a 2040 emission reduction target, in accordance with the European Climate Law. Since then, throughout 2024, the climate crisis has continued to unfold, with record temperatures in Europe and globally, devastating extreme events such as storms, heavy rains and wildfires, causing human suffering and massive damages to the European societies and economies and our nature, both in Europe and the rest of the world.
To mark the one year anniversary of the 2040 target communication, CAN Europe has written to President Ursula von der Leyen & Commissioner Hoekstra to express concern that to date neither a proposal for amendments to the European Climate Law nor a draft Nationally Determined Contribution with a proposed 2035 target have yet to be put on the table by the European Commission. These important proposals are needed in order to drive the policy process forward and also to provide the necessary climate ambition orientation for the Clean Industrial Deal which the Commission is currently preparing.
READ: Letter to President Ursula von der Leyen & Commissioner Hoekstra on European Climate Law Amendments and Nationally Determined Contributions
Setting a 2040 target is a legal obligation under the European Climate Law, but it also raises a crucial opportunity for the EU to go beyond its current level of ambition. By aligning its 2040 ambition with the 1.5°C target of the Paris Agreement, the EU would send a strong signal for the continuation of the European Green Deal, (re)gain a leadership role in climate diplomacy & avoid the costs of climate change and harness the gains of the transition.
In the 2040 climate-neutral EU briefing, CAN Europe outlines the policy options of how the 2040 target should be set, taking into account Europe’s historical responsibility and capacity to act. The paper also hints at some urgent policy steps constituting enabling conditions for its achievement.
