26. 06. 2025
AUTHOR: Strategic Perspectives
France has asked to discuss the 2040 climate target with leaders at the European Council today. Adding a last-minute closed door discussion on the agenda raises concerns about the aims of the French government. This is especially noteworthy as Poland intends to delay the European Commission’s publication of the European Climate Law that includes the 90% target beyond July 2, and to lower the goal in the EU’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for 2035.
This comes at the back of such an attempt failing at last week’s Environment Council and with the assumption that delaying the 2040 debate gets more traction at leaders level. However, the German chancellery has already confirmed it remains supportive of a 90% target for 2040 as set out in the coalition treaty, and ten Member States voiced their support for the 90% climate target for 2040.
Director Neil Makaroff said:
“Now that France has put the 2040 climate target on the agenda of the European Council, it has a responsibility to help create the conditions for an agreement among the 27 on the -90% trajectory. Delaying decarbonisation targets will not give industry more breathing space; on the contrary, it risks triggering a decline in the European economy, which urgently needs a clear direction on electrification and the net-zero industry in the face of growing competition from China.”
Executive Director Linda Kalcher commented:
“Important economic decisions, such as the 2040 climate target, require guidance by leaders, ideally with a properly prepared debate on challenges and opportunities. This night and fog campaign by Poland and France to delay or ditch the target is set to backfire as other leaders step up. Leaders now have an opportunity to turn this hijacking attempt into a proper discussion on how the target boosts competitiveness, investments, innovation and affordability is required.”
Media contact:
Mirta Baselovic, Communications Officer
mirta.baselovic@strategicperspectives.eu | +32 471 89 08 96
