In an important decision, countries in the European Union have all agreed to a new goal. They plan to reduce their net greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by the year 2040. This new target is a major step towards the EU's plan to have no net emissions by 2050. This decision, however, comes at a time when other global energy reports show that the world still needs a lot of oil and gas. This makes worldwide climate action more difficult.
The EU's plan, which was finally agreed on in early November, gives a clear path for the future. It helps governments and businesses know what to expect. By making this goal part of European law, the EU wants to make sure that big changes in technology and infrastructure happen. The reduction will be measured from 1990 levels.
The agreement was not easy to reach. Countries have different economies and face different problems. For example, Cyprus, which is an island, successfully argued for more flexibility. It is harder for Cyprus to connect to other countries' energy systems. The final plan includes special rules for countries in such situations. This is to make sure the move to a greener economy is fair and does not hurt their economies too much.
This strong European plan is very different from what some international energy groups say. These groups think the world will use even more oil by 2050. Big energy companies also say that new oil and gas projects are still needed. This shows that the global shift away from fossil fuels will be slower and more complicated than some people hoped. The world is at an energy crossroads, and the EU's ambitious plan highlights the big challenge of getting everyone to work together.