The 11 member states signing the letter demand that the 2040 climate target be ambitious, thereby reaffirming the EU’s role as a global example and sending a strong political signal to other major emitters of greenhouse gases. The contributions necessary to maintain the 1.5°C target must be obtained before COP30 to be held next year in Brazil.
The European Commission plans to present a communication on February 6 in which it will open the debate on the ambition of the climate objective for 2040, hence the interest for France and the rest of its partners to let the European executive that they are waiting for a firm proposal consistent with scientific data.
Thus the 10 other EU countries signed a joint letter in which they ask the European Commission to demonstrate ambition with regard to the climate objective for 2040. In addition to France, the letter is signed by its counterparts from Germany, Spain, Portugal, Denmark, Austria, the Netherlands, Finland, Luxembourg, Ireland and Bulgaria.
In this letter, the signatories emphasize that the need for ambitious global climate action has never been more evident than today. The year 2023 was the hottest year on record, and global warming will intensify a series of negative effects that will jeopardize the well-being and security of the planet.
At its meeting on 14 and 15 December 2023, the European Council welcomed the conclusions of the first global review which took place the same week during COP28 in Dubai. In particular, the agreement to accelerate the reduction of pollutant emissions to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, in line with the best available science, in order to keep the 1.5°C target within reach. hand.
“It is crucial that the EU translates this into concrete and ambitious actions to send a strong political signal that the EU will lead by example to convince other major emitters to follow suit and secure the necessary contributions to maintain the 1.5°C target in time for COP30,” the letter says.
Ambition for the 2040 climate target
However, the signatories believe that they can only persuade others to take a step forward if they do the work at home. That is why, they add, “we strongly encourage the European Commission to recommend an ambitious European climate target for 2040 in its next Communication.”
At the same time, the “Fit for 55” legislative package must be properly implemented, to strengthen the EU’s credibility on the international stage when demanding the same climate ambition from others.
The necessary contributions to maintain the 1.5°C target before COP30 in Brazil next year, taking into account the principles of the European Climate Law applied according to the best available science, cost-effectiveness, a fair and just transition and the costs of inaction, as well as the advice of the European Scientific Advisory Council on Climate Change, must be secured. It must also ensure that the EU is fully on track to climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest, with the aim of achieving negative emissions thereafter. The Commission’s Communication should enable the EU to communicate ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for 2035 to follow up on the COP26 decision on five-year deadlines.
An ambitious target will also contribute to the phase-out of fossil fuels. Alongside an effective and sustained effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across all sectors – which remains the main lever for achieving climate goals – phasing out the use of fossil fuels must be essential to achieve climate neutrality.
Transition with social justice and ambition on the 2040 climate objective.
“To lead the way, we must ensure that climate action is an opportunity for all.” “This is why,” they continue, “the green transition must remain economically viable, have manageable costs and leave no one behind, in particular the most vulnerable citizens.
Ambitious climate action will leverage synergies between these policies and other environmental priorities, as well as reduce future climate impacts, particularly on the most vulnerable. Supporting the green transition and tackling the distributional effects must therefore be a priority.
Achieving climate targets cost-effectively is essential for economic growth, energy security and strengthening the EU’s industrial competitiveness. It will be essential to preserve the EU’s resilience, take full advantage of the green transition through rules-based trade and strengthen Europe’s open strategic autonomy, as well as providing competitive advantage to on a global scale.
“It will send a strong signal to the market to increase the development and manufacturing of zero-emission technologies in the EU, paving the way for increased competitiveness and making the EU the most attractive centre for the development and production of zero-emission technologies. It will also bring many benefits to citizens, including a healthier environment and future-proof job opportunities in green sectors and industries,” the letter concludes.