From Target to Action: Scaling Carbon Removals by 2040

The European Commission has introduced a legislative proposal to amend the European Climate Law to enshrine the 2040 climate target: a 90% net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990 levels. This is a crucial step to ensure the EU stays on a science-based path to climate neutrality by 2050 and upholds its commitments under the Paris Agreement.

The Role of Bioenergy and Permanent Carbon Removal Technologies
The European Commission has also highlighted the need for integrating permanent carbon removal technologies as a key component of EU climate action. This includes technologies such as biogenic carbon capture and storage (BioCCS) and biochar, which can play a crucial role in meeting the 2040 target.

Ennio Prizzi, Senior Policy Officer at Bioenergy Europe, stated:
“A 90% net reduction is the right level of ambition. Now the focus must shift to implementation. Permanent carbon removals, particularly those based on biomass, are ready to contribute. What we need is a stable, long-term framework that enables investment, guarantees environmental integrity, and secures Europe’s leadership in carbon management.”

Global 100re supports the integration of permanent carbon removal technologies into the broader EU climate strategy. This includes proposals to introduce targeted incentives for the development of such technologies at the national level, which will help create favorable conditions for investors and businesses.

Recognizing the importance of permanent carbon removals is a crucial step towards achieving net-negative emissions in the second half of the century. This aligns with the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which notes that up to 10 GtCO₂ per year must be removed globally by mid-century.

IPCC affirms:
“The deployment of carbon dioxide removal is unavoidable if net-zero emissions are to be achieved.”

Strategic Steps from the European Commission
The European Commission has also proposed flexibility for countries to use carbon credits from developing nations to meet a limited share of their emissions targets for 2040. This will reduce the effort required for European industries to meet their emissions reduction goals. Carbon credits will begin to be implemented in 2036, and the EU will propose new legislation next year to establish quality criteria for these credits and rules for their purchase.

The European Commission has proposed a legally binding target to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040, from 1990 levels, as part of the overarching strategy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra noted:
“This target has been drafted in an extremely difficult geopolitical context, but it will provide investment certainty for industries.”

Defining New Steps
The Commission also plans to amend the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) Directive in 2026, creating an opportunity to develop a robust business case for carbon removal technologies and other innovative solutions.

However, to create long-term market certainty and avoid deterring mitigation efforts, the 2040 framework must go further and disaggregate targets into gross emissions reductions, permanent carbon removals, and land use, land-use change, and forestry (LULUCF). Only by providing this clarity can the EU create the stable demand necessary to scale up carbon removal technologies at the pace required to meet the climate targets.

Sources:

European Commission – Official page on the 2040 climate target

Bioenergy Europe – Position on the 2040 climate target

IPCC – The need for carbon removal

Reuters – European Commission proposes using international carbon credits as part of the 2040 target