EU Climate Commissioner Hoekstra Defends Use of Foreign Carbon Credits to Meet Emissions Targets
European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth Wopke Hoekstra has defended the European Union’s approach of using international carbon credits to help meet its climate objectives, arguing that the strategy can strengthen global cooperation while supporting emissions reductions.
In an interview with Euronews, Hoekstra explained that the EU’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent by 2040 includes a limited role for carbon credits, which allow countries to finance emissions-cutting projects abroad and count part of those reductions toward their own targets.
He described the approach as an opportunity to “build bridges” with regions such as Africa and Latin America, suggesting that international collaboration is essential in addressing climate change in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.
Under the proposal, carbon credits would account for around 3 percent of the EU’s total emissions reductions. However, the policy has drawn criticism from opponents who argue that its effectiveness is difficult to verify and that it may weaken domestic climate action.
Some critics also warn that countries hosting EU-funded emissions reduction projects could face challenges in meeting their own climate commitments under the Paris Agreement, while potentially slowing their economic development.
Hoekstra emphasized that climate cooperation should not be seen as being in conflict with economic growth. He rejected the idea that environmental action and economic progress are incompatible, arguing instead that policies must be designed to support both industry and citizens.
He also pointed to the increasing physical impacts of climate change, noting that Europe is already experiencing more frequent floods, wildfires, and other extreme weather events. According to him, Europe is warming at roughly twice the global average, reaching around 3°C in some assessments.
The commissioner, a former Dutch foreign minister, also commented on international climate politics, expressing regret over the United States’ withdrawal from key climate agreements such as the Paris Accord under previous administrations.
Despite this, he said he expects continued private sector investment in clean technologies, arguing that businesses will continue to pursue profitable opportunities in renewable energy and climate-friendly innovation regardless of political shifts.
Hoekstra added that the United States, as one of the world’s largest emitters and economies, plays a crucial role in global climate efforts, but suggested that market forces will still drive growth in the cleantech sector even in the absence of federal leadership.
Overall, he defended the EU’s strategy as a pragmatic approach to achieving ambitious climate goals while fostering international cooperation and investment in sustainable technologies.