Europe's 90% emissions reduction target does not meet with unanimous approval

Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia would like the Danish Presidency to go back on the target of reducing emissions by 90% by 2040 (compared to 1990 levels). Questions remain over the role that international credits will be able to play in achieving the target and over inter- and intra-sectoral flexibilities. The European Commission wants to limit the role of international credits (which allow emissions avoided in the context of projects outside Europe to be counted towards Member States' efforts to reduce emissions). Denmark, which holds the Presidency of the European Union until the end of the year, wants to limit flexibility between companies and between sectors of activity, which would allow emission reduction overruns in one sector or company to be offset against the emissions of companies or sectors that are lagging behind.