The Commission has launched two open public consultations and calls for evidence for the preparation of the EU climate policy framework for the period after 2030, focusing on the role of national climate targets and flexibilities and on the possible use of international credits.
These consultations will play a critical role in shaping the preparation of the relevant legislative proposals due in the last quarter of 2026, as announced in the Commission Work Programme. The Commission encourages broad participation from all stakeholders and the general publicin these two consultations, which remain open until 4 May 2026 at 23:59.
National climate targets and flexibilities
In July 2025, the Commission proposed an amendment to the European Climate Law establishing a legally binding target to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040 compared to 1990 levels. This was to ensure a credible and steady pathway towards climate neutrality by 2050.
In December 2025, the European Parliament and the Council reached a provisional agreement endorsing this target, confirming the EU’s climate ambition and providing the basis for updating the EU’s climate architecture for the next decade. The agreed amendment also introduces new elements to support the EU’s achievement of the 2040 target in a cost-effective and globally responsible manner.
National climate targets under the Effort Sharing and LULUCF Regulations will expire in 2030. The consultation will help assess the role of national climate targets and flexibilities in the EU climate policy post-2030, with a view to sustaining strong incentives for emission reductions and carbon removals in line with the EU’s 2040 climate target.
Respondents are asked for their input on how to review the EU’s future climate rules to make sure they are fair, affordable, and adapted to different national situations while ensuring achievement of our climate targets. Consultations also cover the role of carbon removals and ways to give countries more flexibility and EU support, so all regions and economic sectors can move towards a climate-neutral economy.
Possible use of international credits
The agreement on the European Climate Law includes the possibility to use high-quality international credits to make an adequate contribution towards the 2040 target, starting from 2036.
This contribution may be up to 5% of 1990 EU net emissions, corresponding to a domestic reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions of 85% by 2040 compared to 1990 levels. Respondents are asked for their input on what they see as the best approach for the use of credits and how this can be designed in a way that is both ambitious and cost efficient, and in line with the goals and the rules of the Paris Agreement.
The agreement also provides for the possibility of a pilot period between 2031 and 2035, to help initiate a high-quality international carbon credit market.
Revision of the Governance Regulation
In addition to the consultations launched today, there is an ongoing public consultation and call for evidence for the upcoming revision of the Governance Regulation – the legislative backbone of the Energy Union and the strategic framework for achieving the EU climate and energy policy objectives on the path to climate neutrality.
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