Commission publishes impact assessment on net-zero pathways

The European Commission has published a detailed impact assessment on possible pathways to reach the agreed goal of making the European Union climate neutral by 2050.
The Commission recommends a 90% net greenhouse gas emissions reduction by 2040 compared to 1990 levels, launching a discussion with all stakeholders; a legislative proposal will be made by the next Commission, after the European elections, and agreed with the European Parliament and Member States as required under the EU Climate Law.
This recommendation is in line with the advice of the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change (ESABCC) and the EU's commitments under the Paris Agreement.
It also 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 the 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 outcome of COP28 in Dubai showed that the rest of the world is moving in the same direction.
Setting a 2040 climate target will help European industry, investors, citizens and governments to make decisions in this decade that will keep the EU on track to meet its climate neutrality objective in 2050.