The European Parliament has endorsed a 90% emissions reduction target for 2040, thereby strengthening the EU’s climate ambition on its path toward achieving full climate neutrality by 2050. In a vote held on Thursday, MEPs approved an amendment to the EU Climate Law, introducing a new legally binding interim target compared to 1990 levels. The decision marks a key milestone in aligning EU climate policy with long-term global commitments and ongoing UN climate negotiations.
To ensure flexibility while safeguarding competitiveness, lawmakers supported several mechanisms that allow member states multiple pathways to meet their obligations. From 2036, up to five percentage points of emission cuts could be achieved through high-quality international carbon credits, a higher cap than the Commission’s original proposal. MEPs also endorsed options for using permanent domestic carbon removals for hard-to-abate sectors and agreed to postpone the introduction of the EU’s ETS2 scheme by one year, shifting its launch to 2028 for buildings and road transport fuels.
Parliament requested biennial progress assessments and left room to adjust the target based on scientific evidence, technological advances, and economic impacts. If needed, the Commission may propose revisions to strengthen the framework and protect Europe’s competitiveness and social cohesion. With 379 votes in favour, 248 against, and 10 abstentions, the Parliament is now poised to enter negotiations with member states to finalize the legislation.