EU sets ambitious 90% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2040, drops agriculture restrictions

In a previous draft of the European Union's objective, obtained by Reuters, it was proposed that agriculture would need to cut non-CO2 emissions by 30 per cent by 2040 compared to 2015 levels to achieve the overall climate target. This provision has been removed from the final draft, as per the agency's report.

The Commission suggests that the European Union should establish an economy-wide target for 2040, consisting of a 90 per cent decrease in greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990 levels, Reuters reports.

The news agency notes that this move follows weeks of farmer protests across Europe.

Jakub Wiech, an energy expert, remarks on the EU proposals on the X platform, "It's important to mention the emissions from the energy sector - by 2040 they will be virtually non-existent."

This proposition from the EU marks the commencement of discussions on this topic.

At the end of January, the vice-minister of climate and environment, Urszula Zielińska, said, "Poland will request Brussels to conduct an analysis of the potential impact of a 90 per cent CO2 emissions reduction goal in the EU by 2040."

Zielińska clarified to the parliamentary commission on the EU that Poland has not formed a viewpoint on this goal yet, as it has not been officially announced.

She added, "We have communicated during the European Council and at the meeting with the commissioner the need for national analyses. This includes an analysis regarding the impact on GDP. Especially if the goal turns out to be 90 per cent; we want to fully comprehend its potential influence on the national GDPs of individual member states. We are, of course, particularly worried about Poland."

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, declared during a debate in the European Parliament on Tuesday, that the EC is retracting a project that aimed to limit the use of pesticides in EU farming.

Von der Leyen mentioned in Strasbourg that the EC's draft of new regulations had the commendable aim of reducing the risk presented by chemical plant protection products.

However, she said, the proposal became a symbol of polarisation. It was turned down by the European Parliament and progress on it in the Council has stalled. As a result, "I will propose to the College (of the European Commission) to withdraw this proposal," the EC president explained.

Von der Leyen added that this does not imply the EC is giving up on the issue altogether. "The topic obviously remains. In order to move forward, a broader dialogue and a different approach are needed. On this basis, the Commission could propose a more evolved project, developed with the involvement of relevant stakeholders", she detailed.