EU proposals to allow member states buy carbon credits from developing countries angers climate activists

EU climate commissioner said developing countries were keen to gain EU financing through carbon credits, for projects such as tree-planting or forest restoration, and it was possible to ensure such offsets resulted in genuine emissions reductions.

EU member states may be allowed to count controversial carbon credits from developing countries towards their climate targets, the European climate commissioner has said, as states meet for a crucial decision on the issue.

The EU will discuss on Wednesday its target for slashing carbon dioxide by 2040, with an expected cut of 90% compared with 1990 levels, in line with the bloc’s overarching target of reaching net zero by mid-century.