EU considering international CO2 credits to meet new climate goal

7/4/2025 19:43

The European Commission is considering counting international carbon credits towards its next climate target, a move that could weaken the CO2-cutting efforts it demands from domestic industries, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.



The idea is among options being discussed by EU climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra with the bloc's member countries and lawmakers, some of whom oppose an EU 2040 climate target to cut emissions by 90%, which the Commission had initially planned to propose.



The Commission missed a deadline to publish the goal last month, and is facing political pushback against the EU's green agenda, as climate change competes with other political priorities including defence. Some governments and lawmakers also argue EU green rules are hurting domestic industries

reeling from U.S. tariffs and cheap imports.



Five sources familiar with the discussions said the Commission is assessing options including setting a 2040 emissions-cutting target for domestic industries which is lower than 90%, and letting countries buy international carbon credits to make up the rest.