Europe's leaders are up against a clock, racing to secure commitments on climate action before the upcoming Conference of the Parties (COP) gathering.
The European Union (EU) is facing a critical moment in its climate change strategy, with delays and uncertainties surrounding the adoption of its 2035 and 2040 climate targets. These concerns have been voiced by experts at our independent climate change think tank, working on the frontier of the climate landscape.
Elisa Giannelli, Programme Lead at our organisation in Brussels, and Manon Dufour, Executive Director, are available for comment on EU politics. Similarly, Marc Weissgerber, Executive Director in Berlin, and Steffen Menzel, Programme Lead in Berlin, are also available for insights on Finance, Energy, Diplomacy, and climate-related matters.
The Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU has been leading efforts to broker an agreement among Member States on a 'statement of intent'. However, despite strong leadership, an agreement on the science-based 90% cut by 2040 is now unlikely before Heads of States and Governments meet this October 23-24.
The EU's delayed decisions on its climate targets risk eroding the case for domestic climate action as a strategic choice, economic opportunity, and part of the continent's security. The failure to meet commitments could impact its citizens, industry, and international partners. Steffen Menzel expressed his disappointment over the delays and lack of clarity in the EU's 2035 NDC.
Resistance from several Member States, including Hungary, Italy, the Czech Republic, and France, has made it uncertain whether the EU can secure the necessary ambition ahead of COP30. France, while supporting the 2040 target, has raised demands for industrial support.
The meeting, originally scheduled to adopt formal positions on the 2035 and 2040 climate targets, has been postponed. Instead, the Danish Presidency will seek to broker an agreement on a 'statement of intent'. This statement would leave the door open to endorsing a science-based 90% emissions reduction target by 2040 and an aligned 2035 interim goal of 72.5%.
Meanwhile, a UN Secretary General special leaders' event alongside next week's opening of the UN General Assembly has emerged as a major moment for countries to present their 2035 NDCs. Our organisation offers a journalist WhatsApp briefing service for updates and analysis for key geopolitical and climate events over 2025 on the road to COP30.
Marc Weissgerber called for Germany to show leadership in this critical moment for the EU. He stated that a proactive role by Germany is essential for meeting its own national climate objectives and securing the international competitiveness of the European and German economy.
As the EU Environment Ministers prepare to meet on September 18 to negotiate the EU's pathway to climate neutrality by 2050, the need for decisive action is more pressing than ever. The organisations' experts stand ready to provide insights and analysis on this evolving situation.
Read also:
- Russia, according to Zelensky, lacks the prowess for launching another significant offensive.
- Russia's Latest Peace Proposals for Donbas: New Diplomatic Landscape Emerges amid Alaska Summit, Potentially Opening Ceasefire Opportunities
- Amidst India's escalating climate crisis, transgender individuals continue to persevere
- Contentious Discussion Surrounding the Movie Release of "Planet of the Humans"
%20gathering.){kind=link}