EU advisory board recommends cutting emissions by 90-95% by 2040
According to a report by the independent advisory board, the EU should cut greenhouse gas emissions by 90–95% by 2040 if it wants to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. This recommendation from the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change comes as the European Commission’s public consultation on setting a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target for 2040 draws to a close. The Commission will then begin work on legislation. The news was reported by Euractiv.
Emissions cuts must be feasible and fair, advisory board says
In its report, the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change recommends keeping the so-called carbon budget within a limit of 11–14 Gt CO2 equivalent for 2030–2050. The carbon budget indicates how much can be emitted without global warming exceeding 1.5 °C.
For comparison, the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions amounted to 3.6 Gt CO2 equivalent in 2021. To stay within this carbon budget, emissions will need to be cut by 90–95% by 2040 compared with 1990.
“The advisory board’s recommendations emphasise the need for bold and transformative action to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 in a way that is fair and feasible,” said Ottmar Edenhofer, Professor of Climate Economics and Public Policy and Chair of the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change.
The advisory board examined more than 1,000 different scenarios to identify those that would limit global warming to no more than 1.5 °C. Among other things, its members also focused on the feasibility and fairness of these scenarios, particularly in view of the EU’s role in global efforts to reduce emissions.
For this reason, the board recommended directing the EU’s efforts both within the EU and beyond it. Above all, however, the advisory board recommended focusing on meeting the 2030 target of cutting emissions by 55% compared with 1990.
Commission to begin work on setting a 2040 emissions reduction target
The advisory board’s report was published towards the end of the European Commission’s public consultation on setting a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target for 2040. The Commission is empowered to do so under the same regulation that established the advisory board. The public consultation runs until 23 June.
The Commission will then work on an impact assessment and a specific legislative proposal. According to information provided as part of the public consultation, the impact assessment is due to be published in 2024. Such impact assessments often accompany European Commission legislative proposals. They allow the Commission to evaluate several different scenarios and select the most suitable one for achieving the target set.
European Scientific Advisory Board
The European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change is an independent body established under the 2021 regulation on achieving climate neutrality, known as the European Climate Law. The advisory board consists of 15 independent senior experts covering a wide range of relevant disciplines.
Its main task is to provide the European Union with scientific expertise, advice and recommendations by evaluating existing and proposed policies related to achieving climate targets.
Translation disclaimer
This article is a machine translation of the Czech original and has not yet been fully reviewed. In case of any doubt, please refer to the Czech version.
