The Union’s central set of climate rules is a step closer to surviving scrutiny by MEPs. The influential industry and energy committee adopted on Wednesday a largely favourable opinion on the 2040 target legislation. It also rebutted attempts to scrap the regulation altogether.
On November 5, 2025, the European Parliament‘s Industry, Research and Energy Committee (ITRE) reached a critical juncture in its deliberations on the climate legislation. The committee saw two amendments tabled calling for the outright dimissal of the regulation. It rejected these amendments, put forward by right-wing MEPs concerned about the economic impact and the feasibility of the 90 per cent target.
Instead, it adopted an opinion—with MEP Niels Fuglsang (S&D/DNK) as rapporteur—largely favourable to the Commission’s proposal. This decision reflects a growing consensus within the committee that ambitious climate action is both necessary and achievable, provided that the right policies and investments are in place.
The EPP dilemma
The rejection of the “scrap” amendments, and the adoption of the largely favourable opinion, is significant. The committee’s opinion is to travel to ENVI, which will then draft its final report and prepare for the plenary vote. ITRE’s input was expected to emphasise the need for a just transition, support for innovation, and the importance of maintaining Europe’s leadership in clean technologies.
That said the legislation enjoyed no plain sailing in the committee. The opinion passed with 48 votes in favour, 34 votes against, and six abstentions (the vote on the scrap amendments garnered 31 votes in support and 57 rejections with no abstentions). As expected, the main battle took place inside the European People’s Party: only eight of its members supported the opinion, with ten voting against it and six abstaining. The vote saw the EPP as the only disunited faction.
You might be interested
The legislation in question, 2025/0524(COD), seeks to amend the European Climate Law by enshrining the goal of at least a 90 per cent net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 compared to 1990 levels.
An important chapter
While the Committee on Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) is the lead body for this file, ITRE was tasked with providing an opinion. It is to ensure that industrial, technological, and energy perspectives appear on the radar (even as they not always enjoy full consideration) before the final plenary vote. This is why Wednesday’s ITRE vote added an important chapter to the Union’s climate ambitions.
ITRE’s involvement is not merely procedural. The committee scrutinises the economic and technical feasibility of the proposed target, especially for sectors that are hard to decarbonise, such as heavy industry and energy-intensive manufacturing. Its opinion influences the final shape of the law, including the flexibility mechanisms that allow for limited use of carbon removals and international credits to meet the 2040 goal.
