Finland says supports EU goal to cut emissions 90 percent by 2040

The European Commission is expected to present the proposal for slashing emissions by 90 percent compared to 1990 levels in the coming weeks.

Some member states say the reduction target is too high and needs to be reviewed, which has delayed the proposal.

But Finland's Climate Minister Sari Multala told AFP in an email that her country backs the proposal.

"Finland supports the European Commission's proposal of a 90 percent emission reduction target by 2040," Multala said.

She added that the focus should be on "cost-effective measures and emission reductions".

"We stress technology neutrality and incentives for industrial carbon management," she said.

The 90 percent reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions relative to 1990 is considered a stepping stone towards the EU's broader goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2050.

The EU's climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra has said the bloc is aiming to publish its delayed 2040 emission reduction target by this summer.