EU countries agree on compromise for 2040 climate targets

By Melike Pala

BRUSSELS (AA) - EU member states have reached a compromise on climate targets for 2040, Danish Climate Minister Lars Aagaard announced on Wednesday.

Under the agreement, the EU aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040 at the latest, compared to 1990 levels. The bloc's interim target for 2030 remains a 55% reduction.

The announcement came at the environmental ministerial meeting currently underway in Brussels, Danish broadcaster DR reported.

Aagaard said the compromise "shows that we can stand together, even in difficult times," adding that the targets would guide policies, industry, and investment decisions for decades.

"With that in place, we can build a stronger, more competitive, and secure EU. That's a big deal," he noted.

The climate target is not yet final and will need approval from the European Parliament before it comes into effect.