EU climate target 2040 • Table.Briefings

EU-Klimakommissar Wopke Hoekstra im Gespräch mit Bundesumweltminister Carsten Schneider.

March 26th, 2026

ETS 2: Delay apparently breaks EU law

A legal analysis reveals that postponing the launch of ETS-2 until 2028 breaks EU law. This could also affect the legality of future EU legislation.

By Lukas Knigge

Container terminal and coal fired power plant at Rotterdam harbour

Feature | CO₂ compensation

March 26th, 2026

Emissions trading: The Commission faces a tough reform

Last week, the member states tasked the European Commission with revising ETS 1. However, it must proceed with caution so as not to undermine the system’s very foundations.

By Lukas Knigge and Alex Veit

News | Emissions trading

March 25th, 2026

ETS 2: Delay apparently violates EU law

A legal analysis reveals that postponing the launch of ETS-2 until 2028 violates EU law. This could also affect the legality of future EU legislation.

By Lukas Knigge

Feature | EU climate target 2040

March 6th, 2026

Fair CO₂ budgets: How much Europe’s regions would still be allowed to emit

With the Council’s approval, the European Union’s climate target for 2040 has now been formally adopted. A study by the University of Graz shows how member states could distribute their contributions to emissions reduction across regions according to principles of fairness.

By Lukas Bayer

President MUKHTAR BABAYEV hits the gavel on the agreement on the end of the decade-long wait for the conclusion of negotiations on high integrity carbon markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

News | Article 6

March 3rd, 2026

2040 climate target: Article 6 could lead to higher emissions

International emissions credits risk undermining Europe’s climate targets and driving up domestic emissions. At the same time, they could tie up substantial funding that would otherwise support the energy transition.

By Lukas Knigge

News | Article 6

February 11th, 2026

EU climate target 2040: Article 6 to be left out of the ETS

The EU Parliament has confirmed the climate target for 2040. Europe is to reduce its emissions by 85%, with a further 5% to be achieved abroad. However, these international reductions will not be integrated into the ETS.

By Lukas Bayer and Lukas Knigge

Das RWE Braunkohlekraftwerk Neurath, Windpark, Rheinisches Braunkohlerevier NRW, Deutschland Braunkohlekraftwerk *** The RWE lignite-fired power plant Neurath, wind farm, Rhenish lignite mining area NRW, Germany Lignite-fired power plant

News | Article 6

February 9th, 2026

EU’s 2040 climate target: Several options for international allowances

EU member states are discussing options for meeting the five-percentage-point component of the 2040 climate target through international allowances, with several models under consideration to create flexibility in reducing emissions.

By Lukas Knigge

Interview | EU climate target 2040

December 16th, 2025

Flasbarth: “No serious weaknesses in the 2040 climate target”

In an interview with Table.Briefings, German State Secretary for the Environment Jochen Flasbarth considers the trilogue agreement on the EU’s 2040 climate target ambitious but correct, despite international emissions allowances. He is also not entirely disappointed with the outcome of COP30.

By Lukas Knigge

News | EU climate target 2040

December 16th, 2025

2040 climate target: Flasbarth sees no weakening in trilogue agreement

Following agreement on the EU’s 2040 climate target, the result was criticized as a watering down of the European climate architecture. In an interview with Table.Briefings, German State Secretary for the Environment Jochen Flasbarth disagrees.

By Lukas Knigge

the consequences of the floods that hit the region of Valencia, Spain, late October 2024

Talk of the Town | EU climate target 2040

December 11th, 2025

EU climate target 2040: 90% CO₂ reduction agreed in trilogue

Negotiators from the EU Parliament, Council and Commission have agreed on a new climate target in the trilogue. By 2040, carbon emissions are to be reduced by 90% compared to 1990 levels. However, they are watering down measures to achieve it.

By Lukas Knigge