The Republic and many other states are under serious pressure to meet existing EU targets to cut emissions by the end of this decade. The longer-term targets for 2040 would bind the EU to a 90 per cent cut in emissions, on the way to it becoming climate neutral by 2050. The Government said it would support the 2040 plan, after receiving assurances that states that fell short of earlier climate targets would not be “unfairly penalised” by crippling billion-euro fines. Spain’s left-wing climate minister, Sara Aagesen Munoz, said the 90 per cent target was a “red line” that the EU could not backtrack on. Several concessions have been put on the table to get national capitals to buy into the 2040 target.

Source: The Irish Times November 04, 2025 22:58 UTC