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EU Ministers Approve 90% Emissions Cut by 2040 in Qualified‑Majority Compromise

Flexibility measures secure a common line before COP30.

Overview

  • After more than 24 hours of talks, governments agreed to allow up to 5% extra‑EU carbon credits to count toward the target, with a further 5% purchasable by member states.
  • The package introduces biennial reviews of the Climate Law’s trajectory, with international credits slated for full use from 2036 and an optional pilot phase from 2031.
  • The start of ETS2 for road transport and buildings is postponed by one year to 2028.
  • The deal passed without unanimity: Slovakia, Hungary and Poland voted against, Belgium and Bulgaria abstained, and 21 countries representing 81.9% of the EU population backed the text.
  • Italy and France endorsed the compromise as workable, and the file now moves to the European Parliament as the EU prepares its updated NDC for COP30 in Belém.