COP29 Emissions Cut Target Faces Resistance in Brussels: 90% Reduction by 2040 in Doubt

At the European Parliament, discussions around the COP29 agreement raised significant concerns about the EU’s climate targets, with some lawmakers expressing skepticism about the feasibility of a 90% emissions reduction by 2040. This ambitious goal, endorsed by EU climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra, faces mounting opposition, particularly from the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) and far-right climate sceptics.

EPP’s Doubts About Achieving 90% Emissions Cut
Peter Liese, the environment policy lead for the EPP, voiced strong doubts about the EU’s ability to meet the 90% emissions reduction target by 2040. Speaking in Strasbourg, Liese said, “I’m not convinced yet that this is a goal we are going to be able to achieve,” especially given the growing resistance from hard-line conservatives and far-right groups within the European Parliament. If the EPP fails to support this target, it could derail the EU’s efforts to meet its climate objectives.

Liese also stressed that any interim target for 2035, as mandated by the Paris Agreement, should be realistic and backed by detailed impact assessments to avoid setting the EU on an unsustainable path.

Tensions over Financial Commitments and Climate Negotiation Process
The debate also highlighted ongoing divisions within the EU on the financial aspects of global climate action. At COP29, the agreement reached a compromise of $300 billion per year starting in 2035 for climate financing, far less than the $1.3 trillion demanded by developing countries. This reduction sparked outrage, with critics arguing that the financial commitment was insufficient and did not address the urgent needs of poorer nations.

Several MEPs, including Mohamed Chahim of the Socialists & Democrats, criticized the COP29 agreement, with Chahim arguing that the current pace of financial support would take centuries to meet global funding needs.

EU’s Fossil Fuel Dependence Criticized Amid COP29 Debate
The debate also shed light on broader concerns regarding EU fossil fuel dependence. Italian MEP Annalise Corrado called out the EU’s inability to challenge autocratic regimes due to its own reliance on fossil fuels. This criticism follows the third consecutive COP presidency held by Azerbaijan, a nation with an economy heavily reliant on fossil fuel extraction. Other MEPs, like Lena Schilling of Austria, raised concerns about the EU’s failure to address human rights abuses during the summit, accusing Azerbaijan of “greenwashing” its image.

Schilling’s comments about receiving threatening text messages after speaking out on the issue further highlighted the tense political backdrop of COP29, which some MEPs viewed as an opportunity for authoritarian regimes to deflect criticism through climate diplomacy.