Roadmap for moving to a competitive low carbon economy in 2050

The Council examined draft conclusions on a roadmap for moving to a competitive low carbon economy in 2050, which aimed to establish a sustainable and cost-effective trajectory to 2050, on the basis of milestones for domestic greenhouse gas emissions reductions of 40% by 2030, 60% by 2040 and 80% by 2050 compared to 1990, as proposed in the Commission’s communication "A roadmap for moving to a competitive a low-carbon economy in 2050". 

The Presidency and Commissioner Hedegaard pointed out that the European Council had in the last year repeatedly called for progress on the roadmap. They also stressed that the milestones were not binding targets but that the EU should give a political sign that it was willing to move forward on climate issues.

Although 26 Member States could agree on the Presidency's final compromise proposal, one Member State could not accept the provisions regarding in particular the milestones for EU domestic emission reductions and further work on the 2030 milestone.

The Presidency concluded that while it was not possible to adopt Council conclusions on the roadmap, 26 Member States supported continuing work, and that it would have to consider the situation and report on it to the European Council.