“Our climate goals remain unchanged, but the path to achieving them must be pragmatic and socially fair.” — Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission

The President of the European Commission, in her letter to the prime ministers of EU member states, outlines a possible review of EU green policy instruments while reaffirming the Union’s long-term climate goals. The main emphasis is placed on balancing climate ambitions with economic competitiveness and social impact.

What does this mean for Latvia?

• Discussions on the next phase of EU climate policy will directly affect Latvia’s energy sector, industry, transport, and agriculture, particularly in the medium term up to 2040.

• A potentially more flexible approach to achieving targets could give member states greater freedom to choose nationally appropriate paths for reducing emissions.

• Predictable regulation is crucial for attracting investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and circular economy solutions, which are becoming increasingly important in Latvia.

  
  

Climate Target for 2040

The letter pays special attention to the EU climate target for 2040, which is currently under political discussion. The European Commission has proposed reducing greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 90% by 2040 compared to 1990 levels.

The Commission President emphasizes that this target:

• Serves as a bridge between the 2030 targets and climate neutrality by 2050,

• Requires a carefully balanced approach that takes into account the different economic structures and development pace of member states.

The letter emphasizes that discussions on 2040 should evaluate not only the scale of emission reductions but also the instruments, timelines, and support mechanisms needed to ensure the policy is feasible in practice.

The President of the European Commission stresses that the EU will continue its path toward climate neutrality, but it is necessary to assess how climate policy implementation affects Europe’s economy, industry, and citizens. She notes that the green transition must be economically justified, socially fair, and politically sustainable to maintain member state support and investment stability.

The letter serves as an introduction to broader discussions at the EU level on how to balance climate targets with competitiveness and security by 2040 in a changing global environment.

More information:

https://www.euractiv.com/news/von-der-leyen-teases-tweaks-to-eu-green-policies-in-letter-to-leaders/?utm_source=euractiv&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_content=The+Roundup&utm_term=0-0&utm_campaign=THE_BRIEF