2040 Climate Target

Czech Chemical Industry Association Outlines Priorities for EU ETS Revision

The Czech Chemical Industry Association (SCHP ČR) has issued a formal position on the EU ETS revision, calling for price stability mechanisms and a slower phase-out of free carbon allowances. These proposals signal industry pressure to protect competitiveness during the transition to CBAM and could influence the final legislative framework for industrial decarbonization costs.

2 Apr 2026, 07:55schp.czCzechiaEuropean Union

EU Parliament Publishes Study on Climate and Environment Impacts of 2028–2034 MFF Proposals

The European Parliament has published a strategic assessment of the proposed 2028–2034 EU budget, evaluating its capacity to meet long-term climate and biodiversity objectives. Businesses should anticipate stricter environmental performance criteria and enhanced tracking methodologies for EU-funded initiatives, shaping the investment landscape for the next decade.

26 Mar 2026, 19:24europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

European Parliament Blocks Delegated Regulation on Permanent Carbon Removals Certification Methodologies

The European Parliament has blocked the adoption of EU carbon removal certification methodologies, preventing the proposed delegated regulation from entering into force. This move signals that future standards will require more rigorous lifecycle emission accounting and permanence safeguards, delaying the operationalization of the Union certification framework for project developers.

26 Mar 2026, 11:59europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Council Holds Exchange of Views on Post-2030 Climate Framework and 2040 Target

The EU Council is preparing a major legislative package for late 2026 to operationalize the 2040 climate target, involving comprehensive revisions to the EU ETS, Effort Sharing, and LULUCF regimes. Businesses should anticipate tighter emission caps alongside new flexibility mechanisms, including the integration of domestic carbon removals and international credits into the compliance framework.

22 Mar 2026, 14:11data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Commission Opens Consultations On Post-2030 Energy Efficiency Legal Framework

The European Commission has launched consultations on the post-2030 energy efficiency framework, a key pillar for achieving the EU's 90% greenhouse gas reduction target by 2040. Impacted sectors, including data centers and energy-intensive industries, should engage now to influence future electrification and performance standards ahead of the late 2026 legislative proposal.

21 Mar 2026, 19:14ec.europa.euEuropean Union

European Commission Opens Consultation On EU Renewable Energy Legal Framework Post-2030

The European Commission has launched consultations on a new post-2030 renewable energy directive to align with the EU's 90% greenhouse gas reduction target for 2040. This initiative signals a significant overhaul of energy policy that will redefine long-term investment certainty and decarbonization pathways for energy-intensive industries.

21 Mar 2026, 18:57ec.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Adopts 2040 Climate Target and Delays ETS 2 Start Under European Climate Law

The EU has legally mandated a 90% net greenhouse gas reduction target for 2040 and delayed the start of the ETS 2 carbon market for buildings and transport until 2028. This locks in the long-term regulatory trajectory for industrial decarbonization while offering a short-term compliance buffer for sectors entering the expanded carbon pricing framework.

19 Mar 2026, 19:38boe.esEuropean Union

EU Commission Sets Out Climate And Automotive Priorities At ENVI Council Press Conference

The European Commission has signaled a 2026 focus on revising automotive CO2 standards and defining the post-2030 climate policy architecture. Strategic planning should account for a continued reliance on the EU ETS and a policy shift toward balancing decarbonization with industrial competitiveness.

19 Mar 2026, 19:28ec.europa.euEuropean Union

Germany / UBA Releases 2025 Greenhouse Gas Data and 2026 Projections

Germany’s 2025 greenhouse gas data and 2026 projections reveal a widening gap toward 2030 targets, particularly under EU Effort Sharing obligations. Companies in the transport, buildings, and industrial sectors should prepare for intensified regulatory intervention as the government seeks to close the projected emissions deficit.

14 Mar 2026, 15:29umweltbundesamt.deGermanyEuropean Union

EU Commission Answer Highlights Advanced Biofuels in Future CO2 Standards Modelling

The EU Commission has confirmed that upcoming CO2 standards for light-duty vehicles will be modeled on a significant increase in advanced biofuel adoption. This signals a strategic shift toward prioritizing finite biomass for hard-to-abate sectors while integrating advanced fuels into road transport decarbonization pathways.

12 Mar 2026, 11:18europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

European Parliament Announces Signing of 2040 Climate Target Amendment and Schedules Urgent Vote on Heavy-Duty Vehicle Emission Credits

The EU is finalizing the 2040 climate target amendment to the European Climate Law and fast-tracking updated emission credit calculation rules for heavy-duty vehicles. Businesses must align long-term decarbonization strategies with the new 2040 benchmark, while automotive manufacturers face immediate shifts in regulatory accounting for the 2025–2029 reporting periods.

12 Mar 2026, 09:26europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

Belgian Federal Parliament Reviews EU 2026 Work Programme, Highlighting Planned REACH Revision and Circular Economy Act

The Belgian Parliament has detailed the EU’s 2026 legislative roadmap, highlighting the upcoming REACH revision, a new Circular Economy Act, and the sixth CMRD update. This signals a period of intense regulatory overhaul for chemicals and materials, requiring strategic alignment with "one substance, one assessment" and evolving circularity standards.

11 Mar 2026, 12:56senaat.beEuropean Union

EU Environment Council To Debate Proposal To Amend CO₂ Standards For New Cars And Vans

EU ministers are debating a proposal to relax 2030/2035 fleet CO2 reduction targets and introduce new compliance flexibilities for cars and vans. This shift toward credit-based compliance for fuels, steel, and EU-made EVs signals a potential easing of the 100% zero-emission mandate, impacting long-term powertrain and supply chain planning.

11 Mar 2026, 12:51data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

Netherlands Government Backs Strong EU ETS In Response To Bushoff/Van Oosterhout Motion

The Dutch government has formally committed to opposing any weakening of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), advocating for a stable and ambitious carbon pricing framework. This signals a firm Dutch stance against regulatory backsliding, reinforcing the need for industrial operators to maintain long-term decarbonization investments despite ongoing EU-level reform debates.

9 Mar 2026, 20:18rijksoverheid.nlNetherlandsEuropean Union

Netherlands Decision Note Outlines Additional Climate Measures and Bonaire Climate Case Response

The Dutch government is preparing additional national climate measures for 2027 and considering binding interim targets following the Bonaire climate case judgment. Businesses should anticipate stricter sectoral climate obligations and adaptation requirements as the Netherlands aligns national policy with court-mandated targets and upcoming EU 2040 frameworks.

9 Mar 2026, 15:31zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

EU Environment Council to Discuss CO₂ Rules for Cars and Vans and Long‑Term Decarbonisation Pathways

The EU Environment Council will meet on 17 March 2026 to debate revised CO2 emission standards for cars and vans and discuss post-2030 decarbonisation pathways. These discussions signal the next phase of regulatory tightening for the automotive sector and the strategic alignment of EU climate policy toward 2040 targets.

9 Mar 2026, 14:08data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

Denmark Climate Council Issues 2026 Status Report on National and EU Climate Targets

Denmark’s Climate Council warns that the national 2030 emissions target is no longer plausible under current policies, necessitating urgent regulatory tightening and higher carbon pricing. Businesses should prepare for accelerated domestic GHG tax increases and stricter EU-aligned requirements for carbon removals, land use, and industrial decarbonization.

6 Mar 2026, 12:05klimaraadet.dkDenmarkEuropean Union

Netherlands Publishes Non-Paper on EU CO2 Market and Infrastructure Proposal

The Netherlands has issued a formal position paper to influence the European Commission’s upcoming legislative proposal on the EU CO2 market and transport infrastructure. This signals a push for harmonized EU-wide regulation on CO2 network planning and cross-border transport, which will be critical for industrial decarbonization and CCUS investment certainty toward 2040.

1 Mar 2026, 12:20zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlandsEuropean Union

European Commission Clarifies 2040 90% Climate Target And International Credits In Answer To E‑004985/2025

The European Commission has clarified the proposed 90% net GHG reduction target for 2040, confirming its binding nature and the limited role of international carbon credits. This trajectory mandates a steep acceleration in decarbonization post-2030, requiring businesses to align long-term capital investment and carbon strategies with a near-total phase-out of net emissions.

27 Feb 2026, 15:00eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Adopts 2040 Climate Target Amendment to European Climate Law

The EU has adopted a binding 90% net greenhouse gas reduction target for 2040 and postponed the launch of the ETS2 carbon market for buildings and transport to 2028. This establishes a rigorous long-term decarbonization trajectory, signaling significant future tightening of sectoral regulations and carbon pricing across European operations.

23 Feb 2026, 12:21data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union