Climate Targets 2040: Bridging Modelling and Policy

The EU must declare its 2040 climate targets by the beginning of 2024, as required in the European Climate Law. To inform, justify and communicate the targets, policymakers will rely on energy, climate and economic modelling of the impacts of various emission mitigation pathways. The main type of models used to assess the trade-offs related to different pathways are detailed-process Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs), contributing to IPCC and other scientific reviews.

At this event, the panellists, which include European policymakers and modellers involved in leading research projects on modelling climate mitigation discussed the considerations for the 2040 targets and how modelling can support policymaking in this space. Emerging challenges in the climate policy space were discussed as well as the potential model development to respond to the changing needs of policymaking.

The event also served to launch a first policy brief that addresses the challenges and opportunities associated with delivering the EU’s 2040 climate targets and more broadly informing international climate negotiations towards the global stocktake process.