Overview

• Germany’s environment minister pressed for a majority decision at the September 18 meeting on the European Commission’s plan to reduce emissions by 90% by 2040 compared with 1990.
• France and some voices in Germany’s CDU/CSU favor postponing the ministerial decision or referring it to a summit of heads of state, which would raise the bar to unanimity.
• Carsten Schneider warned that delaying or blocking the EU target would run counter to German interests and risk an expensive national go-it-alone path.
• CDU deputy Andreas Jung signaled conditional support, insisting on no extra German obligations beyond existing goals and on more flexibility, including negative emissions and credible international projects.
• Climate groups urged Chancellor Friedrich Merz in an open letter to prevent any delay and to secure adoption of the 2040 target in the Environment Council.