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On 6 February, the European Commission published a Communication recommending a 90% net greenhouse gas emissions reduction target by 2040 compared to 1990 levels, in order to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

The Communication sets out a number of policy conditions which are necessary to achieve the 90% target, including the full implementation of the agreed 2030 framework, ensuring the competitiveness of the European industry, a greater focus on a just transition and a level playing field with international partners, a strategic dialogue on the post-2030 framework. In the transport sector, the implementation of the “Fit for 55” measures, combining technological solutions and carbon pricing, as well as an efficient and interconnected multimodal transport system, would allow emissions to decrease by close to 80% in 2040 relative to 2015. The Commission acknowledges that the decarbonisation of the sector would require significant investments both in new assets and infrastructure for refuelling and recharging and all financing instruments must be well-used sought and supported. Finally, the Commission will also push for ambitious decarbonisation measures – global carbon pricing – for maritime and aviation at global level, in the framework of the ongoing negotiations at IMO and ICAO.

While the Commission proposes some pathways to achieve this target, a legislative proposal to enshrine the target into EU law would only be adopted by the next Commission, after the European elections. The Commission will also engage in a strategic dialogue with all stakeholders which should help designing the post-2030 framework which would deliver the 2040 target in a fair and cost-efficient manner.

Source: European Commission