The EU Member States are holding their first debate on the 2040 climate target today. Recently, the European Commission had recommended a 90% cut in emissions by the EU between 1990 and 2040. Unlike many other EU countries, Germany has already set itself a target for greenhouse gas reductions in 2040. According to the Federal Climate Change Act, greenhouse gas emissions are to fall by 88% between 1990 and 2040. If reductions from natural climate change mitigation are added, i.e. the natural absorption and storage of carbon dioxide in soils, forests and wetlands, Germany’s intended reduction in emissions increases to 91% in 2040.

State Secretary Sven Giegold said: “We are seeing all around the world how extreme weather events and new record temperatures are becoming more frequent. So if we realistically intend to tackle the climate crisis and to safeguard the future of our children and grandchildren, we must stick rigorously to our climate targets. The EU climate target for 2040 also offers a clear framework for orientation and planning by our companies. In order to make our industry more competitive, we need a clear path for the transition. We need to avoid uncertainties for investors and false incentives for investments, whilst also making it possible to invest in our infrastructure and in clean technologies. This is crucial if the EU is to keep pace with its global rivals. Climate change mitigation and competitiveness are two sides of the same coin. It is vital for us to understand the Green Deal as a European growth strategy and to develop it accordingly in order to strengthen the competitiveness of our industry and to expand and restructure our energy supply on a climate-friendly basis. That has to be a priority for the next government. At the same time, we need to ensure that the transition is backed by social measures and to protect citizens from high energy prices.”

On 6 February, the European Commission presented its communication on an EU climate target for 2040. It recommends a net reduction of 90% from the 1990 level. The Commission published an impact assessment along with its communication. This shows that, if net greenhouse gas emissions are to be cut by 90%, the EU’s residual greenhouse gas emissions should amount to less than 850 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents in 2040, and that the sequestration of CO2 (from the atmosphere by means of land-based and technical sequestration) should amount to up to 400 million tonnes of CO2. The proposed legislation for the new climate target will come from the new Commission. Germany is in favour of clear consideration being given to the social and societal consequences of climate policy.