The European Union unveiled a new and ambitious climate target: to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040 compared to 1990 levels. The proposal, presented by the European Commission, is intended as a critical milestone towards the bloc’s overarching goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2050.
A key step towards EU climate neutrality
So far, EU member states have managed to cut emissions by around 37% since 1990. The new target aims to significantly accelerate these efforts over the next two decades. According to the Commission, it hopes the plan can be formally adopted by November, giving governments and industries a clearer long-term framework for planning their transition.
The announcement came as much of southern Europe experienced another intense heatwave, which experts say is becoming more frequent and severe due to human-induced climate change.
Reactions across Europe and beyond
Norway, which recently submitted its updated climate commitment to the United Nations aiming for a 70 to 75% reduction by 2035, welcomed the EU’s initiative. Climate and Environment Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen stated: “I am pleased that the European Commission is proposing an ambitious yet realistic goal. It shows that the markets we export to will continue to make it more expensive to emit CO2. This means we are entirely dependent on transforming our economy.”
Implications for industries and global climate action
If approved, the new target is expected to drive stricter rules and investments in clean technologies across Europe, further influencing global supply chains. It also signals to international partners that the EU remains committed to leading on climate action despite complex political and economic pressures.
The EU’s updated roadmap underscores the scale of transformation still required to reach net-zero emissions by mid-century, reinforcing climate as a central pillar of European policy.