Divide to Deliver: Technical Analysis
Why 2040 separate targets for carbon removal are feasible and necessary to reach EU net-zero.
Last July, we published a policy brief highlighting our recommendations for a resilient 2040 target strategy, based on three scenarios we modelled. This month, we dive deeper into the modelling exercise, our method and results.
Key takeaways:
Set separate 2040 targets for gross emissions reductions, temporary carbon removals, and permanent carbon removals to ensure climate integrity, accountability, and investor confidence.
Support the scale-up of permanent CDR through a dedicated EU policy package, including funding, infrastructure, and demand-side instruments such as compliance market integration.
Sustain and grow land-based removals by embedding temporary CDR in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), forest policy, and adaptation planning, and by maintaining a robust LULUCF target.
Support a diverse portfolio of CDR methods and efficient use of finite biomass resources to manage risk, reduce cost, and ensure sustainable and resilient delivery under multiple future scenarios.