Climate: EU toward 90 percent emissions cut target by 2040; Macron warns it requires means and time

BRUSSELS – After months of hesitation, the European Commission will present its proposal next Wednesday (2 July) to amend the European Climate Act by inserting a new emissions cut target to 2040, that of -90 percent compared to 1990, seen as an intermediate step on the path to zero by mid-century.

Brussels wants to approve the target – perhaps with flexibility for the member states, taking into account the purchase of international carbon credits and the financing of virtuous projects outside Europe – before flying to Brazil for the United Nations Conference of the Parties (Cop30) in Belém and, therefore, needs technical time for the co-legislators – the EU Council and Parliament – to approve the amendment. However, it is a complex issue, especially in an EU mandate in which defense, competitiveness, and simplification are at the forefront. Some countries, such as Italy, the Czech Republic, and Hungary, contest the 90% reduction target. France demands precision on the instruments and political ways to achieve it.

And so, although already widely announced – since it was part of the responsibilities for which President Ursula von der Leyen entrusted the Climate Commissioner, Wopke Hoekstra, and although it was not on the agenda of the European Council (Thursday, 26 June 2025) – the topic was touched upon yesterday by President Emmanuel Macron and, overall, by the Spaniard Pedro Sanchez — on different positions.

On the one hand, Sanchez has no doubts. “I want to emphasize the unwavering commitment of the government of Spain” to the transition, something that “we are showing with deeds, not just words, as the data on economic growth, job creation, and increased competitiveness say.” Therefore, ‘I would like to reiterate to the rest of the member countries that competitiveness in the 21st century is not linked to fossil fuels but to the advancement of the energy transition and green energies and everything that reconciles the sustainability of the planet’s health with the reindustrialization of our economy in a green key,” he said upon his arrival at the EU Summit.

On the other hand, the French premier, who, in a late-night press conference after the Council proceedings, lined up the elements of doubt. Macron emphasized that the EU is “the only big space” in the world that is on the road to transition. “We have targets for 2030, and when I see so many countries backtracking on those, I say the priority is to reach them. Then, we set sectoral targets for 2035: for the automotive industry or other sectors. What is being asked of us for Belém are national trajectories for 2035. That is all. We will do it, and all Europeans must do the same,” he said. “Now, there is a desire to have targets for 2040, which is a transition point. I am in favor of having these targets for 2040. However, to achieve them, we must equip ourselves with the necessary means and make them compatible with our competitiveness. What does that mean? Technological neutrality – which means renewables and nuclear power – flexibility, investments,” Macron said.

In addition to the practical aspect, according to the occupant of the Elysée Palace, there is also a political dimension. The debate on the 2040 target cannot be “technical” but “democratic among the 27 members” and “I say this because I love Europe” and “because in two years I will no longer be in charge of my country and I would be imprudent to leave my successor a situation discussed outside the framework of the 27 member states: it would not be serious,” he said. And finally, he contested the point of tying the target to the COP in Brazil. ‘It would be great if we had it for Belém, but that is not what is expected of us for Belém” because the target is at 2035 and it will be “a total failure if the Europeans do not have the 2040 target in Belém” when perhaps “there will be nobody left at the table on the 2035 target.”

So, “let’s stop shooting ourselves in the foot: it is not a target for Belém. If we have it for Belém, great. If it takes longer, let’s take more time to get it right,” he urged. “The reality is that I want to get my 2030 target right first, succeed in the automotive target and others to 2035, and take the democratic and political time to convince others to get to 2040,” he concluded.