SPÖ man Sidl warns: Climate target 2040 is on the brink!

SPÖ man Sidl warns: Climate target 2040 is on the brink!

On September 11, 2025, the SPÖ-EU MP Günther Sidl commented on the important climate boards of the European Union, in particular on the target for 2040. According to Sidl, this goal is a central milestone in order to achieve a climate-neutral Europe by 2050. He warns that intermediate goals must not be torpedoed because this could endanger the long -term climate goals. In his explanations, he emphasizes that climate neutrality can only be realized through a gradual process. The Austrian government has clearly known to climate neutrality in the government program by 2040.

SIDL calls on the Environment Minister to stand up for ambitious climate policy in Brussels. He wants the citizens to be taken in this process in order not to hang out. Such a procedure is particularly relevant, since Austria wants to compensate for its emissions by 2040 and not to compensate for reduced remaining emissions by carbon storage.

Climate goals in the context of international agreements

The international Convention of Paris, which came into force in 2016, forms a general framework to combat the climate crisis. For all states, it determines the goals that are mandatory to limit the global temperature increase to a maximum of 2 degrees Celsius with the long -term goal. Additional efforts should ensure that the target of 1.5 degrees Celsius is not exceeded. The European Council also pursues the goal of no longer releasing greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, whereby remaining emissions are to be compensated for by natural and technical lowering. Austria has legally committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 48 percent by 2030 compared to 2005.

As part of the 2011 Climate Protection Act, a national legal framework was created, which forms the measure to comply with the emissions and quantities. A package of measures founded on this law was implemented by 2018. Siddle explains the further planning by 2029, in which climate neutrality exists by 2040.

EU climate goals and their challenges

The EU recently presented a new intermediate destination to reduce climate -damaging gases, whereby the aim is to reduce emissions by 90 percent by 2040 compared to 1990. This is part of the "Fit for 55" package, which was presented in the summer of 2021. These requirements are based on the scientific recommendations of the EU climate margin and are intended to support the requirements of the Paris climate agreement. The EU plans to submit this target in late summer to the United Nations.

However, there are disagreements in the European Parliament and among Member States. Countries such as France, Italy and Poland express concerns. The Danish Presidency basically supports the climate target, but emphasizes that compensation between climate and business interests is necessary. This problem could lead to further debates, especially with regard to the political changes after the European elections.

Climate research indicates the increasing extreme weather events, which are reinforced by climate change. In Brussels, record temperatures of up to 37 degrees were observed, which underlines the urgency to achieve the climate goals. While 80% of EU citizens perceive climate change as a serious problem and support a climate-neutral future, it is essential that political decision-makers meet their obligations and drive the necessary active change.