NextFin news, The European Union delayed its submission of the updated 2040 climate target on this Wednesday, September 17, 2025, in Brussels, due to disagreements among member states over the ambition level of emissions reductions.
The EU was expected to submit updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for 2035 to the United Nations next week, as part of its commitments under the Paris Agreement. However, the lack of consensus on the 2040 target, which proposes a 90% reduction in emissions compared to 1990 levels, has stalled progress.
Some member countries, including Poland, Hungary, Czechia, and Slovakia, have expressed concerns that the EU Commission's 90% reduction proposal is too ambitious and economically challenging. Other countries such as Sweden support the 90% target but emphasize the need for a realistic implementation approach, as stated by Sweden's EU Minister Jessica Rosencrantz (M) during a meeting in Brussels on Tuesday.
The Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which holds the rotating presidency, indicated after an ambassadors' meeting in Brussels on Tuesday that the EU would at best submit a statement of intent rather than a finalized climate plan. This approach aims to ensure the EU is not empty-handed at the upcoming UN General Assembly and the COP30 climate summit in Brazil in November.
The decision on the 2040 climate target is now expected to be postponed until the next regular EU summit scheduled for mid-October, where heads of state will discuss the issue. An extraordinary Environment Council meeting may also be convened before COP30 to adopt a formal position.
The EU's delay in finalizing its climate targets risks undermining its leadership role in global climate negotiations. The bloc's 2035 target, which is linked to the 2040 goal, remains unsettled, complicating the submission of updated NDCs required by the UN deadline.
Environment ministers are scheduled to meet again in Brussels on Thursday, September 18, 2025, to attempt to agree on the statement of intent. The Danish Presidency is working on bridging options, including a lower emissions reduction range for 2035 or separating the 2035 and 2040 targets to facilitate agreement.
Sources: Aftonbladet (2025-09-17), Yahoo News Singapore (2025-09-17), Politico.eu (2025-09-16), Seneca ESG (2025-09-16)
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