The European Commission’s proposal to slash CO2 emissions by 90 per cent by 2040 rippled through the political factions of the European Parliament. The proposal allows for international offset flexibilities through the controversial Emissions Trading System (ETS), stoking fires of contention among MEPs.
The proposal faced a mixture of applause and skepticism in the Parliament, as differing visions for Europe’s green future came to light. The varying reactions of individual parliamentary political groups underscored a fundamental ideological divide in the EU’s approach to climate policy.
As the narrative unfolded, it became clear that Europe’s path to climate neutrality was inextricably linked to its broader socio-economic agenda. The Commission’s roadmap appeared to some as a beacon guiding Europe toward environmental and economic enlightenment, while others viewed it as a looming storm cloud of regulatory overreach and economic peril.
Embrace science, market
Renew Europe, typically a champion of progressive climate action, greeted the announcement with enthusiasm. MEP Pascal Canfin (Renew/FR), the group’s coordinator, hailed the target as a multifaceted tool boasting climate benefits, as much as competitive and economic boons. “I welcome the 2040 target proposed today by the European Commission. This is as much a climate action tool as a tool to strengthen competitiveness, economic growth and energy security,” he said.
For Renew, the message was clear: embrace the science, harness market forces, and drive headfirst into a renewable future. Scaling up clean electricity was not just desirable but inevitable; a sharp turn toward energy independence and stability awaited.
You might be interested
MEP Yvan Verougstraete (Renew/BEL) underscored the intertwined nature of environmental policy and economic strategy. For Mr Verougstraete, Europe’s climate ambition was a strategic lever for competitiveness. “We are calling for a binding target based on scientific data: to reduce the European Union’s greenhouse gas emissions by 90 per cent by 2040, in line with the commitment to climate neutrality by 2050 enshrined in European climate law,” he affirmed in a statement emailed to Eu Perspectives. His vision was one of a green industrial revolution—local energy production paired with technological neutrality and social justice.
Wishful thinking
However, not all viewed the Commission’s plan through rose-tinted glasses. MEP Alexandr Vondra (ECR/CZE) offered a stark rebuttal, denouncing the 90 per cent target as “wishful thinking detached from economic and social realities.” He expressed major resistance to the proposed expansion of the ETS, particularly into sectors like buildings and transport, predicting catastrophic strain on Europe’s industrial backbone.
Mr Vondra’s grounded his critique in practical concerns: “The Commission is putting the cart before the horse—announcing numbers before knowing how to achieve them.” The ECR coordinator further warned of the pitfalls of “climate colonialism,” lamenting that the burden of compliance would shift abroad. That would threaten to leave smaller states and SMEs to bear the consequences.
Slow and timid
Across the aisle, criticism came from the opposite vantage point but was just a tad less vitriolic. Mohammed Chahim (S&D/NL) lamented the delay in addressing the climate emergency. In he eyes of Mr Chahim, who is his group’s Green Deal vice-president, the proposal needed to be a jumping-off point for genuine commitment and action. “It’s also vital for the EU to adopt an ambitious updated climate target ahead of the UN climate summit in Brazil this November, as European climate leadership is needed now more than ever,” Mr Chahim urged, confirming his faction’s hardline environmental stance and rejecting any dilution of long-term climate ambitions in the Socialist official statement.
(The Europan Commission) hesitancy has put Europe’s position as a global leader on climate under significant strain. MEP Mohammed Chahim
The Dutch Socialist also scolded the Commission for dragging its feet over setting the targets. “Given the high expectations from the public and the fact that the scientific consensus on the need for action has been clear for some time, it is all the more regrettable that the Commission has waited until now. This hesitancy has put Europe’s position as a global leader on climate under significant strain,” Mr Chahim said.
As of time of publication, the EPP had not released any official comment. The Parliament’s largest group focused on its paper on regional policy instead.
