The EU has yet to agree on emissions targets ahead of COP30, with talks resuming as ministers try to finalise a 2035 NDC and a contentious 2040 goal proposed by the European Commission. The 2040 plan — a 90% cut versus 1990 levels — divides member states, prompting proposals for flexibilities such as limited use of external carbon credits and biennial reviews. Brussels says a political deal may be possible, while critics warn that concessions could weaken the bloc's climate ambition. The EU highlights its leadership in climate finance, mobilising €31.7 billion in 2024.
EU Struggles to Finalise Emissions Targets Ahead of COP30 — Talks to Resume
The EU has yet to agree on emissions targets ahead of COP30, with talks resuming as ministers try to finalise a 2035 NDC and a contentious 2040 goal proposed by the European Commission. The 2040 plan — a 90% cut versus 1990 levels — divides member states, prompting proposals for flexibilities such as limited use of external carbon credits and biennial reviews. Brussels says a political deal may be possible, while critics warn that concessions could weaken the bloc's climate ambition. The EU highlights its leadership in climate finance, mobilising €31.7 billion in 2024.
12:07, 05.11.2025Environment
EU fails to finalise climate targets as COP30 approaches
The European Union's member states have not yet reached agreement on the bloc's key emissions targets ahead of the UN's COP30 summit in Brazil. Ministers were still negotiating late into the night in Brussels and are scheduled to reconvene on Wednesday to try to clinch a deal, Danish presidency officials said.
What is at stake: Negotiators are debating two separate goals — a 2035 target that the EU must present as its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) at COP30, and a far-reaching 2040 objective proposed by the European Commission on the path to carbon neutrality by 2050.
The Commission's July proposal calls for a 90% cut in emissions by 2040 compared with 1990 levels, a major step toward net zero. Some member states, including Spain, the Nordic countries and Germany (with reservations), support the ambition. Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Italy oppose the proposal, arguing it threatens heavy industries and national competitiveness. France has kept a cautious stance, seeking safeguards for its nuclear sector and flexibility if natural carbon sinks such as forests absorb less than expected.
Denmark, which currently holds the EU presidency, said negotiators believe they have the basis for a political deal and expect to formalise it once talks resume. An EU diplomat summed up the mood in Brussels as 'very, very difficult.'
'In the muddy, messy, nasty real world out there, we are trying to achieve something good,' the diplomat said on condition of anonymity, describing a compromise that is 'not necessarily pretty.'
Proposed flexibilities: To win over sceptical governments, negotiators discussed a package of flexibilities. These include allowing countries to count carbon credits purchased for projects outside Europe toward their 2040 targets. The Commission floated a 3% cap on such credits, while some delegations pushed for a 5% ceiling. Other proposals would require reassessing the overall ambition every two years.
Environmental groups warned that such loopholes could undermine the EU's climate leadership. EU officials defended the emerging compromise as pragmatic, arguing it aims to preserve ambition while accommodating national economic concerns.
The EU points out it remains a major climate donor, having mobilised €31.7 billion in public climate finance in 2024 — the largest public contribution globally — a fact Brussels cites to underscore continued leadership despite internal divisions.
Next steps: Ministers must secure a unanimous agreement on the 2035 NDC ahead of COP30. For the 2040 objective, the EU aims to secure support from a weighted majority of member states. Negotiators are racing against time to present a coherent position to world leaders in Brazil.