European Commission

European Commission : Recently, the European Commission proposed a legally binding target to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by the year 2040, compared to 1990 levels.

• Key Highlights : Member states will be allowed to meet up to 3 percentage points of this target using carbon credits from developing countries, starting from 2036 under a UN-backed market.

o Plans to introduce strict quality rules and criteria for carbon credit use by next year to ensure accountability and effectiveness.

• Concerns About 'Junk Offsets': Critics fear the growth of ineffective or unverifiable offsets that lack “additionality,” essentially allowing Europe to pollute at home while funding tree-planting abroad.

o There is rising concern that international carbon markets could become a tool for greenwashing, letting wealthier countries delay true transformation of their own economies.

• About European Commission : Executive body of the European Union (EU). It represents the common interests of the EU as a whole. ; Headquarters: Located in Brussels, Belgium.

o Functions: The EC has the "right of initiative", meaning it can propose new laws and policies for the EU.

ü It oversees the implementation of EU policies and manages the daily operations and spending of EU funds.

ü Ensures that EU laws and policies are correctly applied in all Member States.

ü Negotiates treaties & agreements with non-EU countries on behalf of the entire Union.

o Led by a President and consists of 27 Commissioners (one from each EU country). Together, they form "the College", which guides the Commission’s political and strategic direction.