Raising ambition
Matching EU climate ambition with the Paris Agreement
The current EU target for 2030 – a 40% cut in emissions compared to 1990– is not in line with the Paris objective of limiting temperature rise to well below 2° and pursuing efforts to limit the increase to less than 1.5°. On a linear pathway, a 40% reduction in 2030 means a 70% reduction in 2050, which is far too low even when compared to the EU’s 2050 indicative target of 80-95%, not to mention the greater ambition required under the Paris Agreement.
Total GHG Budget in the EU (2021-2030) (Mt CO2 eq.)
Your option:
5.000 Mt CO₂ eq.
saved
5.000 Mt CO₂ eq.
saved
5,100
Annual GHG Emissions
1,900
2021
2030
All other options set at EC proposal, with all loopholes included
Current EU target:
39,244 Mt CO₂ eq.
39,244 Mt CO₂ eq.
Current EU target:
39,244 Mt CO₂ eq.
39,244 Mt CO₂ eq.
Whoops. Although this is the EU’s current target, a 40% target does not put Europe on the right track to deliver on the Paris Agreement. Furthermore, the loopholes the Commission proposed would reduce the 40% target to a mere 36% in 2030
4275
4156
4071
3989
3911
3863
3839
3743
3747
3650
- 41% 2030 target compared to 1990:
37,687 Mt CO₂ eq.
37,687 Mt CO₂ eq.
Better. A 45% target would be a higher target than the 36% target adopted by the EU, but is still far away from what we need under the Paris Agreement. However, even this increased ambition would still be affected by loopholes unless these are also addressed.
4247
4100
3986
3876
3769
3693
3641
3516
3492
3367
- 46% 2030 target compared to 1990:
36,130 Mt CO₂ eq.
36,130 Mt CO₂ eq.
Almost there. As the target gets more ambitious, the benefits that go alongside it - more jobs in renewable energy and energy efficiency, cleaner air to breathe - also increase. However, even this increased ambition would still be affected by loopholes unless these are also addressed.
4219
4043
3901
3763
3627
3523
3443
3290
3237
3084
- 51% 2030 target compared to 1990 (WWF):
34,570 Mt CO₂ eq.
34,570 Mt CO₂ eq.
Good! This outcome should keep the EU on track to fulfil its Paris commitment. However, even this increased ambition would still be affected by loopholes unless these are also addressed.
4190
3986
3816
3649
3486
3353
3244
3063
2982
2801
- 56% 2030 target compared to 1990:
33,013 Mt CO₂ eq.
33,013 Mt CO₂ eq.
Fantastic! The more the world does to cut the pollution that causes climate change, the smaller the impact of human activity on our environment will be. However, even this increased ambition would still be affected by loopholes unless these are also addressed.
4162
3930
3731
3536
3344
3183
3046
2837
2727
2517