EU Commission recommends to target 90% net emissions cut by 2040

The European Commission recommended on Tuesday that the EU slashes net greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040, a target that will test political appetite to continue the region's ambitious fight against climate change ahead of EU elections.

The Commission said the EU should set an economy-wide 2040 target for 90% net greenhouse gas cuts, compared with 1990 levels.

Tuesday's recommendation will kick off the political debate on the EU goal, but it will be up to a new EU Commission, formed after EU elections in June, to make a final proposal to fix the target into law.