Overview
- EU environment ministers met in Brussels to try to lock in a 2035 nationally determined contribution and a 2040 target before COP30.
- The draft package centers on a 90% emissions cut by 2040 versus 1990 with a potential “emergency brake” if land sinks underperform and possible use of foreign carbon credits.
- Countries are split over flexibilities, with debate over allowing 3% versus 5% of the 2040 cut to be met via purchased credits and over regular review clauses.
- To avoid arriving without an offer, ministers are weighing formalizing a 2035 EU pledge in the 66.25%–72.5% range that leaders signaled in September.
- The UN Emissions Gap Report finds current and announced plans track to 2.3–2.5 C this century, with only about a third of countries filing updated NDCs, as COP30 shifts focus to implementation, finance and forest protection with reduced U.S. federal participation.