From green goals to ground realities
As the EU remains deadlocked over its 2040 emissions goal, the IEA has tempered its climate rhetoric, forecasting that oil and gas will continue growing over the coming decades
The European Commission proposed an amendment to the EU Climate Law on 2 July introducing a binding target of a 90% net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 compared with 1990 levels. Since then, progress has stalled. EU environment ministers failed to reach consensus on the proposal during a meeting on 12 September, deferring the decision to the EU leaders’ summit scheduled for 23–24 October. On 18 September, the Environment Council adopted a “statement of intent” outlining a post-2030 Nationally Determined Contribution with a 2035 emissions-reduction range of 66.25–72.5% versus 1990 levels. The range aligns with existing legislation and the proposed 2040 goal but remains non-bindi
Also in this section
7 November 2025
The Russian company’s German assets are under Berlin’s management and are exempt from sanctions, for now, but a permanent solution still needs to be found
6 November 2025
The Russian firm made a significant attempt to expand overseas over the past two decades but is now divesting its global operations
6 November 2025
After years of pursuing ideologically driven climate leadership, Western powers are now stepping back under mounting political pressure and rising populist opposition—prompting concern essential climate action could be sidelined
5 November 2025
Construction of the pipeline in Afghanistan is making tangible progress, but extending it into Pakistan and India remains unrealistic for political reasons
