Overview
- EU environment ministers approved a non-binding 2035 range of cutting emissions 66.25% to 72.5% from 1990 levels.
- The declaration is intended to avoid arriving empty-handed at next week’s UN General Assembly and at COP30 in Belém starting November 10.
- Deep splits persist over the Commission’s 90% by 2040 proposal, with Denmark, Sweden and Spain backing higher ambition and Hungary, the Czech Republic and Poland resisting as France stays cautious.
- The Commission’s offer to allow up to 3% of reductions via international carbon credits has not broken the impasse, drawing NGO criticism and being labeled a “non-decision” by MEP Pascal Canfin.
- Climate chief Wopke Hoekstra says he is confident a 2040 deal can be reached before Belém, as France and Germany press for a leader-level debate on October 23 and Paris seeks financing guarantees for industrial decarbonization.