EU members agree to cut emissions by 90% by 2040 from 1990 levels

EU Members Agree to Cut Emissions by 90% by 2040. The European Union has reached a legally binding climate agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040 compared with 1990 levels, the European Parliament announced Wednesday. The deal includes the purchase of foreign carbon credits to cover 5% of the reductions.

Under the agreement, EU industries will be required to cut emissions by 85%, while EU nations will, starting in 2036, pay non-member countries to reduce emissions on their behalf to achieve the remaining targets.

The European Parliament and EU countries must each approve the measure for it to become law, a step generally considered a formality for pre-agreed deals.

The new target surpasses most other major economies' climate pledges, though it falls short of recommendations from the EU’s climate science advisers and is weaker than earlier proposals. The final agreement reflects differing views among member states on the pace and cost of implementing the EU’s green agenda.

“This agreement shows that climate, competitiveness and independence go hand in hand and sends a powerful message to our global partners. We agreed on a strong but realistic climate law,” said Wopke Hoekstra, spokesperson for the EU Climate Commission.

The target emerged as a political compromise after months of negotiations. Governments in Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary opposed deeper carbon dioxide cuts, arguing they would strain domestic industries already facing high energy costs, cheaper Chinese imports, and U.S. tariffs.

Meanwhile, countries such as the Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden cited worsening extreme weather and the need to keep pace with China in green technology manufacturing as reasons for supporting the ambitious target.

To secure broader support, the EU also agreed to delay other politically sensitive measures, including the launch of a carbon price for fuel, now scheduled for 2028. -Kate Abnett and Disha Mishra