Commission presents recommendation for 2040 emissions reduction

On 7 February 2024, the European Commission presented its Communication on Europe's 2040 climate target and recommends reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 90 per cent by 2040 compared to 1990 levels. A legislative proposal on this is to be presented under the new Commission.

The Communication sets out a number of enabling policy conditions which are necessary to achieve the 90% target. They include the full implementation of the agreed 2030 framework, ensuring the competitiveness of European industry, a greater focus on a just transition that leaves no one behind, a level playing field with international partners, and a strategic dialogue on the post-2030 framework, including with industry and the agricultural sector.

The document also mentions the contributions of research and innovation to achieving the goals. It emphasises the need to invest more in research and demonstration of innovative net-zero technologies, coordinating the EU and national R&I efforts, and strengthening efforts to bring innovations to the market and to scale them up. Horizon Europe and partnerships with industry and Member States will play an important role to help move low-carbon technologies for energy-intensive industries from basic research to deployment. Horizon Europe alone will allocate over € 30 billion (at least 35% of its budget) to climate action.

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