EU 2040 climate target should prioritise real emissions cuts – not offsets
The European Commission today proposed a legally binding target of 90% net greenhouse gas reductions by 2040, marking a key milestone in the EU’s pathway to climate neutrality. CATF strongly welcomes this headline target, which aligns with scientific recommendations. However, CATF cautions that allowing international carbon credits to count toward that goal could undermine the credibility, environmental integrity, and long-term effectiveness of the EU’s climate policy.
“International carbon credits might offer short-term relief, but they don’t build the infrastructure or technology the EU needs to thrive in a low-carbon world. The EU has a chance to show what a climate-smart, innovation-driven economy looks like. Let’s not miss it,” said Codie Rossi, Europe Policy Manager, Carbon Capture at CATF.
CATF has advocated for a robust 2040 climate framework that includes clear sub-targets for emissions reductions, land-based carbon sequestration, and permanent removals, aligned with numerous other stakeholders. The inclusion of flexibility mechanisms such as carbon offsets not only reopens unresolved issues from past carbon market failures, but also sends the wrong signal internationally at a time when global climate cooperation is at a critical juncture.
“The EU should absolutely support climate action abroad – but not by offshoring its own responsibility,” Rossi added. “This is a pivotal moment for climate credibility and clean tech leadership.”
CATF urges co-legislators in the European Parliament and Council to strengthen the legislative proposal by:
- Ensuring that the 90% target is met exclusively through domestic emissions reductions
- Excluding international offsets from the EU’s core compliance framework
- Clarifying the role of permanent removals and land-based sequestration through dedicated and transparent accounting
- Implementing strict safeguards for any potential inclusion of permanent carbon removals in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS)
Additional resources:
- A joint report by CONCITO and Clean Air Task Force: The Balancing Act: Risks and Benefits of Integrating Permanent Carbon Removals into the EU ETS
- An evaluation and scorecard of 20 forest carbon credit protocols by a team of forest scientists demonstrates that most protocols are not strong enough to ensure that certified credits are high-quality: Ground Truth: Can Forest Carbon Protocols Ensure High-Quality Credits?
Press Contact
Julia Kislitsyna, Communications Manager, Europe, [email protected], +49 151 16220453
About Clean Air Task Force
Clean Air Task Force (CATF) is a global nonprofit organization working to safeguard against the worst impacts of climate change by catalyzing the rapid development and deployment of low-carbon energy and other climate-protecting technologies. With more than 25 years of internationally recognized expertise on climate policy and a fierce commitment to exploring all potential solutions, CATF is a pragmatic, non-ideological advocacy group with the bold ideas needed to address climate change. CATF has offices in Boston, Washington D.C., and Brussels, with staff working virtually around the world. Visit catf.us and follow @cleanaircatf.
