Macron doesn’t think it’s worth rushing the discussion, however.
“It’s great if we have [the 2040 target] for Belém, but that’s not what’s expected of us for Belém. It’s the 2035 [target], not the European targets for 2040. So let’s not overstretch ourselves,” he said.
“So let’s stop shooting ourselves in the foot,” he added. “If we have it for Belém, super. If it’s going to take longer, let’s take more time to get it right.”
Heated debate
Macron also said that the 2040 target has to be “compatible with our competitiveness,” and insisted that renewables and nuclear power should be treated the same under the bloc’s future climate plans. Countries need additional leeway to meet the goal, too, while more investment is also needed, he argued.
Only with these aspects included in the Commission’s 2040 “package” could he support the target, he suggested.
Many governments have sent long lists of demands for agreeing to a 2040 target, and the Commission is already expected to grant countries significant flexibility to meet the goal, in order to win over a majority of countries.
