Wopke Hoekstra, the EU climate commissioner, said the target sent a message to the world that Europe “continues to lead the way” on climate action.
We need to make sure everyone crosses the finish line and nobody is left behind,” he said.
Under the new proposal, it plans to use 80% less fossil fuels in the energy sector by 2040 than it did in 2021.
The 2040 target was announced on Tuesday in the European parliament alongside a new strategy to capture carbon.
Kadri Simon, the EU energy commissioner, said renewables and energy efficiency were still “central” to climate neutrality but that reaching net zero emissions also meant using technologies to manage carbon.
“While it sounds like a big number, this target uses some creative accounting with promised carbon capture to hide much lower actual emission cuts.”.
She added: “Without honesty about an end to fossil fuels and finally tackling farming emissions, it’s hard to see how the EU will even clear this too-low bar it’s setting itself. »
