Denmark Urges EU to Maintain Green Transition Amid Pushback on 2040 Climate Goals
Key Insights
Denmark's climate minister warns against halting Europe's green transition as the EU prepares to propose a 90% emissions reduction target by 2040.
The EU faces resistance from countries like Poland and France, concerned about the economic costs of ambitious climate goals.
Denmark will lead negotiations on the 2040 target, emphasizing renewable energy and nuclear power as key to Europe's competitiveness.
Geopolitical tensions and rising defense spending add complexity to the EU's dual priorities of climate action and security.
COPENHAGEN, June 27 (Reuters) - Denmark's Climate and Energy Minister Lars Aagaard has cautioned European nations against slowing the continent's green transition, as the European Commission prepares to unveil a proposal next week for a 2040 climate target aiming to cut EU emissions by 90% compared to 1990 levels. The proposal, however, faces opposition from member states like Poland and France, which argue the goal is economically burdensome.
Aagaard, whose country will lead EU negotiations on the 2040 target during its upcoming six-month rotating presidency, stressed that short-term fiscal pressures—such as increased military spending—should not derail long-term climate commitments. "The answer to Europe's competitiveness is transitioning to electricity for more applications, produced domestically through renewables and nuclear power," he told Reuters. "Halting the green transition is no solution to climate or security challenges."
The EU's climate ambitions are unfolding against a backdrop of geopolitical instability, including Russia's war in Ukraine, which has prompted a surge in defense budgets. Aagaard described the situation as a "grim background" for both rearmament and decarbonization efforts. "It's not a celebration that Europe must rearm or go green; these are necessities driven by threats and climate change," he added.
This year, the EU has already scaled back several green policies amid pushback from industries and member states. The 2040 target is designed to bridge the gap between the bloc's 2030 emissions reduction goals and its 2050 net-zero target. Denmark's leadership in the negotiations will be critical in balancing economic concerns with the urgency of climate action.
Reporting by Isabelle Yr Carlsson; Editing by Aidan Lewis.