Brussels to propose ‘pragmatic’ 90 percent climate target for 2040

The European Commission will tell countries to cut 90 percent of their planet-warming emissions by 2040, but offer “flexibilities” to make the goal politically palatable, EU climate chief Teresa Ribera told POLITICO. 

Yet she warned that giving too many concessions risks excessively weakening the target — which the EU executive is hoping to present on June 4 or the week after, according to two officials. 

“We are sticking to 90 percent,” said Ribera, who serves as the EU executive’s vice president overseeing climate and competition issues. But this goal will be infused with “pragmatism” and tweaks EU governments are requesting, she added.