Several of Europe's most powerful countries implored Brussels to set "an ambitious climate target for 2040" — adding crucial pressure ahead of an upcoming plan.

The plea, detailed in a letter obtained by POLITICO, breaks the dam on the silence that has so far prevailed among EU capitals as the European Commission prepared its 2040 climate roadmap, which is expected to include support for deep carbon emission cuts.

"The need for ambitious global climate action has never been more evident," reads the letter, which has support from 11 countries, including the EU's two largest economies, Germany and France, as well as other large or wealthy countries like the Netherlands and Spain.

Denmark spearheaded the letter, which is also supported by climate-friendly Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg and Portugal, as well as Bulgaria, which has often been at the other end of the climate spectrum.

"We strongly encourage the European Commission in its upcoming communication to recommend an ambitious EU climate target for 2040," the letter adds.

The appeal comes despite a rising climate policy backlash across Europe. Angry protests are roiling France as they spread across the country, resulting in two deaths and damage to a local government building this week. Germany and the Netherlands have also seen similar demonstrations over the past few weeks and months, upending their political dynamics.

While the memo calls for climate ambition, it stops short of endorsing a specific emissions cut target. Its rhetoric implies, though, that the countries would back a push to cut at least 90 percent of the EU's emissions by 2040 — a baseline the EU's own science advisers have set.

The letter even directly suggests the 2040 target "should take into account" advice from the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change, which has called for cuts of 90-95 percent by 2040 from 1990 levels.

It also suggests the target should keep in mind the Paris Agreement's goal to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, as well as the EU's legally binding target to hit climate neutrality by mid-century.

The European Commission, the EU's executive, is expected to unveil its own opinion on February 6. POLITICO has reported that the Commission is expected to endorse a 90 percent cut alongside an assessment of three options, including continuing the status quo, cutting by 90 percent and going further than 90 percent.

Backing the 90 percent target would inevitably cause tension ahead of the EU elections in June. Right-wing parties have risen in part on the back of anger at EU green policies, creating political headwinds that have left some politicians calling for a green lawmaking pause.

But in the letter, the group of countries argues the EU must set an example for the world.

"We can only persuade others to step up if we get the job done at home," it reads.

Yet the EU's science advisory body recently said the EU is not yet getting the job done. In a major report last week, the science panel said the EU was on pace to miss its climate targets for 2030 and 2050 — and needed significant changes to get there.

“We cannot convince others to up the effort if we don’t show leadership — and we have to for our climate, energy, independence and future competitiveness,” insisted Danish Climate Minister Lars Aagaard, who steered the initiative. Thus far, Denmark is the only EU country to explicitly back a 90 percent goal for 2040.

The 2040 target is a follow-up to last year's COP28 climate summit, where the EU tried to present itself as a climate frontrunner, encouraging other nations to accelerate carbon cuts and commit more money to green efforts. But the EU itself has not always lived up to its own rhetoric, leaving the 27-country club exposed to accusations of hypocrisy.

Nonetheless, the countries behind the letter said the EU must not abate its climate efforts, arguing they are critical to Europe's economic vitality. Enterprising climate policies, the letter insists, will make Europe a hub for investment, offer people "a healthier environment" and ensure "future-proof employment."

"Meeting our climate goals in a cost-effective way is essential to economic growth, energy security and increasing the EU’s industrial competitiveness," it concludes.

CORRECTION: This article has been updated to reflect the fact that Portugal is a signatory to the letter and Poland is not.