Overview
- The planned vote by environment ministers next week was pulled after Berlin supported elevating the file to an October discussion among EU leaders.
- Germany’s shift followed an internal climbdown as Environment Minister Carsten Schneider dropped his push for an immediate ministers’ decision.
- The European Commission proposal seeks a binding 90% emissions cut from 1990 levels by 2040, allowing up to 3% to be met via non‑EU projects.
- Resistance persists among several governments, with Hungary, Czechia and Poland opposing the level of ambition and France favoring leader‑level handling.
- EU diplomats doubt agreement before November’s UN climate conference and warn the bloc may miss its September 24 UN submission deadline, even as the Danish presidency still targets a year‑end deal.