The EU member states approved today a binding reduction of 90% of emissions by 2040, along with a commitment to reduce between 66.25% and 72.5% by 2035.
BRUSSELS – The President of the European Council, António Costa, emphasized today the “strong commitment” of the European Union (EU) to the climate transition, congratulating the agreement reached by national governments to reduce pollutant emissions by up to 90% by 2040.
“The EU remains firmly committed to a fair, balanced, and socially responsible climate transition — a transition that is pragmatic, economically efficient, and generates economic opportunities,” wrote Costa in a message shared on social media.
The former Prime Minister also congratulated the Danish six-month presidency of the EU Council for “securing key agreements that drive the EU’s path towards climate neutrality by 2050.”
The EU member states today approved a binding reduction of 90% of emissions by 2040, along with a commitment to reduce between 66.25% and 72.5% by 2035.
Costa, who represents the EU along with the head of European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, at the UN climate summit COP 30, added that the agreement reaffirms the “global leadership of the EU in the fight against climate change.”
The EU Council reached a political agreement today to reduce CO2 emissions by 90% by 2040, compared to 1990, although diluting the targets with measures that grant greater flexibility to member states.
In an extraordinary meeting in Brussels of the EU Environment Ministers, which lasted nearly 20 hours, Portugal voted in favor in a vote that required a qualified majority, according to European sources.
This concerns a change to the European climate law that provides for a 90% reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions (compared to 1990 levels) as an intermediate step towards climate neutrality in 2050.
A contribution of 5% for international carbon credits may also be used, allowing countries to invest in sustainable projects abroad and have that count towards their national target.
Regarding this issue, Portugal requested greater openness in the negotiations to include credits from projects in the African Countries of Official Portuguese Language, such as Cape Verde. (05/11/25)
