Environment ministers will gather on Thursday (18 September) in Brussels, where they are debating national emission targets for 2035. These targets need to be finalized at the EU level prior to the COP30 climate conference in Brazil later this year, as revealed in an internal memo obtained by Euronews.
A contentious 2040 EU climate emissions target decision, which the Danish EU presidency initially planned to address on Thursday, has already been postponed to a topic for further discussion, as countries argue they require additional time to consider the matter, as reported by EU officials.
However, the note mentioned that nations are now forming more or less ambitious groups concerning the decision on national targets for 2035, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which will be addressed at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) next week, where global leaders will review climate actions before COP30.
"Less climate ambitious" EU nations are seeking to achieve cuts "closer to 66% of greenhouse gas emissions," with this goal following a steady path from 2030 to 2050, as mentioned in the document.
For EU nations considered "more ambitious," there is a desire to issue an "indicative statement" prior to the UNGA, which begins on 23 September, featuring a distinct 2035 goal "ranging from 66% to 72.5%," bridging the 2030 target and the suggested 90% target for 2040.
Efforts made by the EU within the Paris Agreement framework
Under the Paris Agreement, nations are required to submit or revise their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) every five years. The European Union's NDC must be updated to incorporate its 2035 goal and include intermediate targets, like those for 2040, which will be showcased at COP30 in November.
Although the EU's NDC is officially approved by EU member states, the climate goal for 2040 will be incorporated as an amendment to the European Climate Law, which was established in 2021. Nevertheless, several countries are keen to adopt both targets simultaneously, believing this would enhance the EU's capacity to advocate for higher global ambitions at COP30.
"It is improbable that a decision regarding a broad strategy [Council's stance] will be made solely at the coreper [permanent representatives of member states] level following the European Council meeting in October, therefore an extraordinary environment council might be convened prior to COP30 to approve it," the note stated.
As member states remain divided on the bloc's environmental initiatives on the international platform, the Danish Presidency is determined to avoid a lackluster outcome when attending the UNGA and is exploring two distinct approaches to address the issue: the first option involves setting lower limits for the NDCs, while the second proposes separating the NDCs from the 2040 climate objective.
"We are looking for input from the member states on a policy discussion, not a broad strategy [Council's stance]," an EU official said to Euronews, noting that the EU Presidency is attempting to maintain the connection between the European Climate Law and the NDC.
A supporter of connecting the 2035 and 2040 goals, Denmark attempted to initiate a vote at the ministerial level last week, but Germany and Italy supported France in postponing the decision to the European Council in October, when leaders will gather. This action received support from nations such as Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia.
However, nations such as the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia wish to address the issue with heads of state in October, aiming to reconsider the 90% target suggested by the EU executive, as stated in the letter. Meanwhile, France, Germany, and Italy are pushing for a conversation about the "framework conditions" that would allow the proposal to progress.