More than a hundred companies – including IKEA, Unilever and Leroy Merlin – have asked the EU to reduce by 2040 by 90% of carbon emissions that cause the greenhouse effect, a target announced by the European Commission, but have not adopted 27 countries.

“90% should be considered the minimum ambition and not the ceiling,” said representatives of some 150 companies or group investors in their public letter that today addressed the European Council, the European Commission and MEPs.

The goal is to reduce gas emissions by 90% is a matter of difficult consultations among EU member states.

Vopke Hukestra, a European Commissioner for the climate, was forced to postpone the presentation of a detailed report he had written, which was expected “before the summer”.

The climate road map that the EU will submit to the UN before the November of COP30 runs from 2040.

“A strong objective, supported by a smart, ambitious and cohesive set of public policies will relieve our coal economies and enhance innovation and business opportunities in all areas,” the signatories say the letter

Such a goal “will improve the EU’s durability over its shock, its energy security and its competitiveness”, they assure, referring to the benefits of this transition: quality jobs, resource savings as well as prosperity and health.

“Ultimately, climate risk is an economic and fiscal risk,” the companies said, while expressing their support for the commitments made at COP28 in Dubai in late 2023: removal from fossil fuels, triple energy growth and renewable energy growth.

“A strong goal (…) is essential for the creation of a regulatory framework and in order to send the right messages to investors with the aim of filling up our activities and supply chains quickly and on a large scale,” said Rebecca Marmot, Director of Sustainability and Public Relations.