The Party of European Socialists (PES) welcomes today’s European Parliament vote on the EU Climate Law. Progressive forces stood firm against the coordinated attempt by conservatives – once again – to dismantle this critical piece of legislation.
At the core remains the package approved by environment ministers at the last ENVI Council on 04 November. The PES welcomes that the overall emission reduction target for 2040 has been kept at 90%. Although, the text does allow up to 5% international carbon credits, effectively lowering real domestic emission cuts to around 85% by 2040. It also delays ETS2 by one year and weakens the review clause for the 2040 target, while sending the wrong signal on enforcing deforestation-free supply chains and the agreed 2035 ban on new combustion engine cars. Some loopholes were tightened, but the overall trajectory remains too weak.
This outcome still falls short of the call made by the PES for a 90–95% reduction in net emissions by 2040 and delays the just transition that Europe urgently needs.
PES President, Stefan Löfven, said:
“This avoids the worst, but it’s nowhere near good enough. Europe cannot reach net-zero in 2050 with caveats and delays. Europe’s industry, Europe’s resilience can only be built on strong and sustainable foundations. Today’s agreement is short sighted and goes against the fundamentals of the EU Clean Industrial Deal. We need to produce more and better at home, not outsource abroad.
I want to congratulate the tireless work done by the colleagues in the S&D Group who managed to strengthen the text with safeguards on climate integrity and to limit the scope of flexibilities in the use of international credits. It is clear that the right-wing majority in the European Parliament is implementing a regressive climate agenda and will continue doing so for the rest of the mandate. Progressive forces should stick together against this conservative front to ensure Europe’s climate ambition is kept at sustainable levels and that the main objectives of the European Green Deal are secured.”
As the PES resolution “For a Just Green Transition” underlines, Europe’s leadership must be rooted in fairness — ensuring that workers, farmers and households are protected and that cohesion and industrial policies serve people, not polluters.
The PES calls for united progressive pressure to strengthen delivery in the months ahead, from financing and industrial policy to social safeguards. There can be no pause in the green transition. Fighting climate change is fighting for social justice and credibility.
