Denmark calls on EU countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2024

Europe1 .fr , with AFP // ARNAUD CHOCHON / HANS LUCAS / HANS LUCAS VIA AFP 15:01 pm, December 06, 2023

The European Union (EU) must reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040, the Danish climate minister called on Wednesday, on the sidelines of COP28 in Dubai. "We are the first country to announce that the EU must reduce its CO2 emissions by at least 90% by 2040!" said Lars Aagaard on X (ex-Twitter). "We hope that other countries will join us," he added.

We have to start now. As the first EU member state, Denmark now proposes ambitious target for the in 2040. wants at least 90% reduction #COP28#eupolhttps://t.co/yFlJgBvXZZ

— Lars Aagaard (@L_Aagaard) December 6, 2023

A 50% reduction in France by 2030

In April, the Twenty-Seven approved the decision to slash their greenhouse gas emissions by 55% compared to 1990 by 2030. "I urge our European neighbours (...) that the EU raises its ambitions beyond 2030," Aagaard was quoted as saying by the Danish news agency Ritzau. Last summer, the European Scientific Advisory Board recommended that the EU adopt a 90-95% reduction target by 2040. Brussels is due to communicate its ambitions at the beginning of next year.

>> ALSO READ – Climate change: where does France stand in reducing its CO2 emissions?

According to the European Copernicus Observatory, 2023 will be the hottest year on record. "2023 now has six months and two record seasons. This extraordinary November, including two days with temperatures 2 degrees higher than pre-industrial levels, means that 2023 is the hottest year on record," said Samantha Burgess, Deputy Head of the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), in a statement.

In the first six months of 2023, France had managed to reduce its CO2 emissions by 4.33%, close to its 5% target from the reduction plan unveiled last May. The objective for 2030 for the French government is to record a 50% reduction in its emissions.