EU countries consider a climate target for every decade

(Reuters, 4 Sep 2020) The proposal is an effort to keep countries on track to become climate neutral by 2050, reaching "net zero" emissions

European Union countries are considering a new climate target for 2040, to give the bloc an emissions-cutting goal for each decade between now and 2050, when it hopes to reach "net zero" emissions, under proposals seen by Reuters.

The EU is aiming to strike a deal this year on a law to make its climate targets legally binding, and member states will start discussions next week on the text.

A proposal by Germany, which will lead the talks between countries, would fix a new EU emissions reduction target for 2040 to keep countries on track for the bloc's flagship goal to become climate neutral by 2050.

"Where it is necessary for the achievement of the climate neutrality objective... a Union-wide climate target for 2040 shall be set," the document said.

Currently, the EU has emissions reduction goals for 2020, 2030 and 2050.

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Reuters, 4 Sep 2020: EU countries consider a climate target for every decade