EC Midday press briefing of 09/11/2026
9 November 2026
Contents updated on 9 Nov 2026
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European Commission
Follow its sittings00:03 - 00:57
Speaker 6
Thank you, Paula. Philip De Smedt with the Norwegian media Energi og Klima. Today, both the Commission and the European Environmental Agency published their progress reports on emissions reductions. I know it's COP, and climate questions might pertain to COP COP-related matters, but I think this is for you to answer, because the headline of the Commission's report is a quote by climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra, who says that Europe is stepping up, not slowing down. But if we look at the figures, the emissions reduction is only of 1.6% from '24 to '25, which is far less than the 5% needed for the EU to achieve its 2030 target.
00:57 - 01:44
Speaker 5
So, looking at the figures, it looks like Europe is indeed slowing down. What do you have to say to this perception? And secondly, looking at the Commission work programme for 2027, there's not a lot of powerful measures that one can look at that would go towards, or I mean, commentators might not note the fact that there are not enough measures to bring Europe to the 5% annual reduction that is needed. So, will Europe be able to step up, as you say?
01:44 - 02:30
Speaker 1
I take note how of your mention how you say the commentators have taken note of our work program. That's very good that commentators are reading it. To the reports of that was published today, I think here we also need to take a step back and look at the bigger picture and the longer time period as well. We are well on the trajectory. It is at the same time, it is absolutely clear that we need to step up game, and this is something that the next two weeks, starting today in Antalya, will be an opportunity also to take stock within the European Union where we are headed, and how we can maintain our climate leadership globally as well.
02:30 - 03:10
Speaker 2
But we have a reason to do these regular reports. It is very good to take stock, and especially, and we had this conversation, I think it was last week when you were referencing another report about energy legislation. It's useful because that gives us a regular snapshot of how our member states are doing, and where, in particular, they are facing challenges, and how we can best help them. And here, you will see that there are nine member states are mentioned. There will be a letter sent by Commissioner Hoekstra to these member states.
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