Have the article read by OpenAI (Beta). Please note that AI translations may take some time to process.Brussels/Luxembourg (dpa) – More than 2,000 European researchers warned that the European Union is at risk of straying from scientific recommendations regarding its climate targets for 2040.
“The political discussion is moving further away from the scientific evidence,” the scientists warned in an open letter addressed to EU leaders who will debate the issue at an upcoming summit in Brussels later this week.
The discussions will be based on a proposal by the European Commission to reduce emissions by 90 percent by 2040 compared to 1990 levels. Part of this reduction is to be offset by internationally recognised climate certificates.
The proposal still needs the approval of the EU countries and the European Parliament, but there is significant resistance to the target in several countries.
“We urge policymakers to stick to science,” the signatories from various universities and institutions said.
The proposed reduction of at least 90 percent “is not just a political choice but an existential necessity for safeguarding Europe’s future, and securing people’s lives in face of increasingly high risks of surpassing critical tipping points.”
If implemented correctly, such a target also offers economic opportunities including significantly lower electricity bills, new jobs and savings on fossil fuel imports in the billions, they said in the letter.
German Environment Minister Carsten Schneider expects German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to support the proposal for a 90 percent reduction at the EU summit. The target is compatible with Germany’s ambitions, but also with the connection between the economy and ecology, he said. (21 October)
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