Europe’s 2040 Climate Target Isn’t Just for Environmentalists - CleanTechnica

The article discusses the European Union’s ambitious proposal to reduce emissions by 90% by 2040, framed within the ongoing European Green Deal. Despite the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, the EU Commission, led by a centre-right coalition, is pushing forward with this target, emphasizing that success requires more than climate policy alone. The 2040 strategy must integrate energy security, defense, economic security, investment, and industrial strategy. Achieving this could save Europe €70 to €90 billion annually by reducing dependence on imported oil and foster energy independence through domestic industries like battery manufacturing, which would support sectors from electric vehicles to military technology. The article stresses that Europe should learn from China’s combination of industrial strategy, regulations, and subsidies that have made it a cleantech leader. The article also highlights the need for a broad political coalition that balances state support and market entrepreneurship to scale disruptive clean technologies effectively. However, Europe’s global emissions share is shrinking, limiting its direct influence on worldwide emissions reductions