Macron and Merkel must back stronger 2030 climate targets, green groups urge

An alliance of French and German green groups have called on their governments to boost the EU’s 2030 emissions reduction target to 55%, up from the current goal of at least 40%. 

President Emmanuel Macron will meet chancellor Angela Merkel in Toulouse on Wednesday, as part of the regular Franco-German Ministerial Council designed to encourage political coordination between the two most prominent EU members.

More ambitious climate action should be a key component of Wednesday’s talks, the NGO alliance has said, calling for a commitment to climate neutrality to be brought forward to 2040 and for 40% of the next EU budget to be devoted to climate protection.