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Coalition for Higher Ambition calls for an ambitious a science-based 2040 climate target

On January 25, ahead of the European Commission's Communication on the EU Climate Target 2040, a broad alliance of businesses, investors, local and regional governments, and NGOs –gathering under the Coalition for Higher Ambition– sent a letter to EU policymakers calling for an ambitious and science-based 2040 climate target of at least 90% net emission reductions.

Read the letter below:
To:
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen
Executive Vice President of the European Commission, Maroš Šefčovič
European Commissioner, Wopke Hoekstra
President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola
President of the European Council, Charles Michel
Prime Minister of Belgium, Alexander De Croo Belgium
Federal Minister of Climate, Environment, Sustainable Development and the Green Deal, Zakia Khattabi
Wallonia Vice President and Minister of Climate, Energy, Mobility and Infrastructure, Philippe Henry
Flanders Minister for Justice and Enforcement, Environment and Spatial Development, Energy and Tourism, Zuhal Demir
Minister of the Government of the Brussels-Capital Region, responsible for Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Participatory Democracy, Alain Maron

Statement from the Coalition for Higher Ambition on the EU 2040 Climate Target

We are writing to you on behalf of an alliance of European business and investor organisations, local and regional governments, and civil society organisations, to urge the European Commission’s upcoming Communication on the EU 2040 climate target to support a bold, science-aligned ambition level.
The window of opportunity to avoid the most dangerous climate change by keeping global temperature rise below 1.5°C is rapidly closing. With current global warming getting closer to this safer threshold, and temperatures in Europe already reaching 2.1°C above pre-industrial levels, climate change impacts such as heat waves, droughts, floodings, forest fires are already hitting heavily across the globe as well as in Europe. These impacts are causing disruptive damage, unprecedented biodiversity loss, threatening people’s safety and livelihoods, particularly for the most vulnerable, and increasingly harming the economy. Current plans from countries to reduce emissions mark an alarming global ambition gap to meet the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement, and all Parties need to step up their efforts, in view of their respective historical responsibility in causing the climate crisis and their capacity to act upon it. The outcome of COP28 signals that the direction of travel is moving away from fossil fuels; it is now up to countries to translate this commitment into national targets and measures aligned with science that deliver on the 1.5°C temperature goal in an equitable manner.
While delaying climate action will imply dramatic costs for society and the economy, acting timely and decisively will bring a wide range of benefits. Undertaking the accelerated, ambitious and just green transition requires a systemic change through taking action across all sectors of the economy, including on energy, transport, housing, resource production and consumption, land use, public and private finance; for and with all actors of the society. Properly designed and comprehensive actions across these areas will, at the same time, enable the creation of jobs and economic opportunities, improve people's health and well-being, combat poverty and ensure social protection, safeguard natural resources, achieve the Union’s energy security, increase competitiveness and resilience, and strengthen the EU’s role as a global frontrunner.
Ahead of the European Parliament elections, it is vital to show that the socially just transition towards climate neutrality is indispensable to ensure long-term resilience, peace and political stability. Swiftly phasing out all fossil fuels and investing in the transformation of the ways we produce and consume will spur innovation towards a clean, circular and competitive industry that can provide safe and decent work, driving a raise in ambition of global standards. A robust vision for the 2040 milestone in the EU decarbonisation pathway will provide the necessary framework for businesses and financial markets to mobilise the needed investments to transform the EU economy to align it to the 1.5°C temperature limit. At the same time, the ambition has to live up to the EU’s responsibility at the global level, given its role as an historic emitter and an affluent region. Adopting a sound, science-based 2040 climate target will send a clear signal to people, businesses and investors in Europe and the rest of the world that the EU is committed to ensure a resilient, healthier and fairer future society and economy and to fulfil its fair share in limiting dangerous climate change. In its report on the EU 2040 climate target, the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change (ESABCC) recommended that, to ensure at least 50% chance to meet the 1.5°C goal, the 2040 target should be set at -90%-95% net emission reductions, compared to 1990 levels, noting that pursuing the most ambitious end of the range would improve the fairness of the EU’s contribution. We, as members of the Coalition for Higher Ambition, urge you to propose and endorse a science-based EU 2040 climate target that is aligned with the recommendations of the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change of at least -90% net emission reductions by 2040 (relative to 1990 levels). This ambition level has been publicly endorsed by the EU Commission’s Executive Vice President for the European Green Deal Šefčovič and the Climate Commissioner Hoekstra, and is also demanded by the Danish Government. Some members of the Coalition, in line with what was highlighted by the latest IPCC synthesis report and the UN Secretary General António Guterres, support efforts for the EU achieving net zero emissions by 2040 at the latest.
After setting an ambitious 2040 target under the EU Climate Law, a participatory revision of the EU’s Long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategy (LTS) under the UNFCCC and the update of the national Long Term Strategies (nLTS) will have to follow, to align long-term climate plans with the 1.5°C objective of the Paris Agreement.
We are confident that you will take this urgent call into due account and we count on you to secure the protection of our planet and the well-being of people in Europe. We remain at your disposal to further discuss ways on how to deliver together an inclusive and sustainable climate transition in Europe.

SIGNATORIES
CDP
Europe Climate Action Network (CAN)
Europe Corporate Leaders Group
Europe European Alliance to Save Energy (EU-ASE)
European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN)
European Heat Pump Association (EHPA)
European Industrial Insulation Foundation (EiiF)
ICLEI Europe – Local Governments for Sustainability
Naturefriends International (NFI)
Adam White, Secretary-General, RECS Energy Certificate Association
Solar Heat Europe/European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF) SOLIDAR
Transport & Environment (T&E)
We Mean Business Coalition

Read the press release:



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  • George Kariuki

    40 w

    This is a critical step in the right direction. By embracing ambitious goals and taking decisive action, the EU can demonstrate its leadership in tackling the climate crisis and pave the way for a sustainable future for all.

    1
    • johnte ndeto

      40 w

      having climate matters in thoughts is impressive as well as all the genuine efforts towards saving the planet

      5
      • Sarah Chabane

        40 w

        Let's hope their call will be heard by the EU policymakers!

        4
        • walter lungayi

          40 w

          The call demonstrates a strong multi-stakeholder push for more aggressive action to address climate change, emphasizing the importance of setting ambitious targets to drive meaningful progress.

          7
          • Boniface Kuria

            40 w

            As they say, "Aim for the sun...land on the moon". We need to be ambitious about climate change goals.....#LETS DO OUR PART.

            7
            • Grace Njeri

              40 w

              @boniface_kuria Immediate measures are necessary to avoid catastrophic consequences and secure a sustainable future for generations to come.

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