https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_588

As farmers protest, the European Commission today published a detailed impact assessment on possible pathways to reach the agreed goal of making the European Union climate neutral by 2050.

(Release — CarrZee: not commenting for now)

Based on this impact assessment, the Commission recommends a 90% net greenhouse gas emissions reduction by 2040 compared to 1990 levels, launching a discussion with all stakeholders; a legislative proposal will be made by the next Commission, after the European elections, and agreed with the European Parliament and Member States as required under the EU Climate Law.

This recommendation is in line with the advice of the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change (ESABCC) and the EU’s commitments under the Paris Agreement.

Today’s communication also sets out a number of enabling policy conditions which are necessary to achieve the 90% target.

They include the full implementation of the agreed 2030 framework, ensuring the competitiveness of the European industry, a greater focus on a just transition that leaves no one behind, a level playing field with international partners, and a strategic dialogue on the post-2030 framework, including with industry and the agricultural sector. The outcome of COP28 in Dubai shows that the rest of the world is moving in the same direction. The EU has been leading the way on international climate action, and should stay the course, creating opportunities for European industry to thrive in new global markets for clean technology.

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Press release:

[BEUC is the umbrella group for 45 independent consumer organisations from 31 countries. Our main role is to represent them to the EU institutions and defend the interests of European consumers. Our acronym originates from our French name, ‘Bureau Européen des Unions de Consommateurs’.]

Today the EU Commission has proposed a 90% cut in the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, compared to 1990 levels in a bid to become carbon neutral by 2050. To reach this target, BEUC, the European Consumer Organisation, calls on decision makers to make the roll out of ambitious climate legislation their number one priority.

 

The communication no longer includes a reference to a 30% cut in non-CO2 emissions from agriculture.

Sections recognising the role of lifestyle changes, including dietary shifts, in bringing greenhouse gases emissions down have also been dropped – even though the communication still hints at the role of the food industry in making healthy diets more accessible and affordable to consumers.

BEUC calls on the Commission to address food, an untapped sector, as part of its climate targets and swiftly publish long-awaited measures to make our food systems sustainable.

 

Monique Goyens, Director General of BEUC, commented:

 

“Contrary to some policymakers’ calls, now is certainly not the time to cast doubt over the direction of travel the EU must take. This is the time for decision makers to roll out the climate-friendly laws that were recently adopted. The climate and environmental transition is undoubtedly challenging, but coming to a standstill, or worse, making a U-turn, would be far more challenging. 

 

“Moving on to the roll out phase especially matters for ground-breaking decisions freshly adopted. In short, we want no backpedaling, we need consistent roll out and ambitious future initiatives. Given the 2035 fossil-fuelled cars phase out secured last year after long and difficult talks, car electrification is an absolute no-brainer and those pushing to reverse the combustion engine phase out are heading in the wrong direction. Decision makers must now focus on the ‘how’ rather than the ‘if’. The EU should publish rules which make electric car charging easier.  There must also be a plan to tackle not just cars but all transport.

 

“However hard the Commission tries to handle farmers with kid gloves, facts are stubborn things: our food and agriculture systems contribute a big chunk of the EU’s climate impact. Consumers are willing to change the way they eat and play their part in the fight against climate change, provided sustainable, healthy food becomes more available and affordable. Now the ball is in the court of the next European Commission, which will have to publish the long overdue Sustainable Food Systems law proposal. Such a law must incentivise the food industry and retailers to better support consumers in the transition.”

 

“Reaching EU climate targets requires getting consumers on board. For this to happen, the transition to more sustainable lifestyles must be easy, attractive, and affordable. If well designed and rolled out, the transition can increase consumer well-being, from cutting energy bills to eating healthier food.”

 

 

Background

BEUC’s response to the 2040 target public consultation, 2023

BEUC brief ‘Shifting diets for health and climate’, as part of our ‘Put Change on the Menu’ project, 2024.