EU’s New Emissions Deal: A Compromise That Undermines True Climate Leadership

In a last-minute agreement ahead of the U.N. climate conference in Brazil, the European Union declared an ambitious-sounding goal to cut carbon emissions by 90% by 2040. Yet a closer look at the deal uncovers troubling concessions that undercut the bloc’s green commitments and expose a dangerous reliance on international carbon credits — effectively shifting Europe’s environmental burdens onto less-developed countries. Is Europe Trading Environmental Integrity for Political Convenience? The EU’s marathon negotiation ended with Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland dissenting, reflecting deep fractures within the union. The contentious deal allows member states to purchase carbon credits abroad to meet targets...