EU's Top Green Official Warns Against Weakening Climate Goal
Teresa Ribera, Vice President of the European Commission responsible for the green transition, urged EU environment ministers to maintain a strong climate target ahead of a crucial summit. She warned that lowering the EU’s 2040 emissions reduction goal would be economically harmful and wasteful.
Call for Ambitious Climate Action
“Delaying climate action or lowering our ambition below the required trajectory is an invitation to waste money and miss investment opportunities. It is a sign of weakness and incoherence — with enormous economic and human costs.”
Ribera appealed to the 27 environment ministers meeting in Brussels to support a target that promotes true European competitiveness, balancing social responsibility and environmental consistency.
Summit and Climate Target Details
The ministers will discuss setting the EU’s new climate target for 2040. The European Commission proposes a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990 levels. To secure broader support, the Commission suggested allowing the purchase of up to 3% of the reduction through carbon credits from other countries.
Current Challenges
As the summit approaches, there is uncertainty whether all member states will agree on the ambitious goal.
Author’s summary: Teresa Ribera cautions that weakening the EU’s 2040 climate target risks economic damage and losing key investment opportunities, urging ministers to uphold strong environmental commitments.