Overview

• Environment ministers approved an intention statement for international presentation that sets a 2035 emissions reduction corridor of 66.25% to 72.5% from 1990 levels.
• The EU plans to present the statement at the UN General Assembly next week, with the UN’s Wednesday deadline for formal 2035 plans expected to pass without an EU submission.
• Ministers failed to agree on the Commission’s proposed 2040 target of a 90% cut versus 1990, which would allow up to three percentage points to be met through internationally recognized carbon credits.
• Germany, France, Italy and Poland pressed to elevate the 2040 decision to an October summit of EU heads of state, pushing any final position beyond the UN timeline.
• Opposition from countries including Italy, Czechia and Hungary centers on concerns the 2040 plan is too ambitious, while France seeks additional support for industry.