Interest in green policies grew across Europe as farmer protests spread, prompting a focus on reducing pesticide use and accelerating action on climate goals. The European Commission pressed ahead with its case, reaffirming a 2040 climate target anchored in European climate law relative to 1990 levels, with the eventual aim of climate neutrality by 2050.
“Fighting the climate crisis is a marathon, not a sprint. The 2040 milestone may seem distant, but starting early equips everyone to follow and complete the path,” stated the climate action commissioner. During the European Parliament’s road map debate, decarbonization of the continent remained central. While the initial plan envisioned all sectors joining the effort, a possible 30 percent reduction emerged, yet emissions tied to agriculture, including methane from livestock, were eventually removed from the final text compared to 2015 levels.
“Like all other sectors, agricultural activities play a vital role in reaching the EU’s 2040 climate targets while supporting EU food sovereignty,” the communication notes. “With effective policies that reward responsible practice, emissions in the sector can decline more rapidly and carbon uptake in land, soil, and forest areas can rise,” the statement adds, without specifying the required effort level.
Recommendations on nutrition emphasize that meat consumption should be guided by clear policies and incentives to promote healthy, sustainable choices. The goal is to harness the innovation potential of the food system and the broader bioeconomy.
Proposals submitted to the new Commission
Brussels has not imposed binding obligations yet. The commission initiated the debate in line with the Climate Law, which requires a proposal within six months of the first comprehensive review of the Paris Agreement conducted last December. After the European elections, the legislative proposals will be handed to the new European Commission, which will collaborate with the Council and the European Parliament to reach agreement.
The communication adopted on that Tuesday creates the groundwork for the 2040 target. The first step is to cut emissions by at least 55 percent by 2030, with National Energy and Climate Plans (NECP) playing a crucial coordinating role. “Setting the 2040 climate target will guide European industry, investors, citizens, and governments in decisions this decade that keep the EU on track toward climate neutrality by 2050,” the Commission stated. [EU Commission]
Brussels describes the new target as a signal for long-term investment and planning, given the increasing visibility of climate risks and costly impacts. In the past five years alone, climate-related economic damage in Europe was estimated at €170 billion. Achieving the 90 percent reduction target will require not only emission cuts but also the removal of carbon through storage and capture technologies. To make industrial carbon management projects viable, the Commission also outlined a series of horizontal actions designed to create a more attractive investment environment. [European Commission]