European Union member states have delayed approval of a proposed climate target for 2040 after key countries including France, Germany, Poland and Italy withheld support for a decision at the ministerial level. The move followed a meeting of EU ambassadors on Friday, where consensus could not be reached on the European Commission’s proposed target to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent from 1990 levels by 2040.
The target is part of the European Union’s broader strategy to meet its legally binding commitment to reach climate neutrality by 2050. While environment ministers were scheduled to endorse the 2040 goal during a formal meeting on 18 September, that vote has now been postponed. Discussions will continue at the ministerial level next week but are expected to be escalated to EU heads of state when they meet in October.
The proposal from the European Commission includes a mechanism to allow the use of international carbon credits starting in 2036, though the scope of such credits remains under negotiation. Some member states have raised concerns over the economic impact of a 90 percent reduction target on national industries and have called for additional clarity on how the goal would be implemented.
Germany has expressed support for the emissions target but has aligned with calls for heads of government to lead the decision-making process. France, Poland, and Italy have requested that any final agreement be taken up at the October European Council summit, citing the significance of the policy’s economic implications. Denmark, Spain, and the Netherlands remain in favor of the 90 percent reduction target and have urged for timely agreement.
Member states divided over use of carbon credits
The delay comes at a critical juncture, as the EU is working to update its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. Countries are expected to submit their revised climate plans to the United Nations by mid-September in preparation for the COP30 climate summit, scheduled to take place in Belém, Brazil, in November. Without a formal agreement, the EU may be unable to meet that deadline.
According to the European Commission, the 90 percent target is necessary to stay on track with the EU’s 2050 climate neutrality goal. The Commission has indicated that reaching the target would require accelerating the deployment of renewable energy, phasing out internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035, and scaling up energy efficiency measures across multiple sectors.
In an effort to address the concerns of more cautious member states, EU officials have been exploring options to revise the framework for achieving the target. Among the ideas under discussion are adjustments to related policies such as the carbon border adjustment mechanism and greater reliance on international offsets to meet emission reductions.
Heads of state to decide next steps in October
The decision to delay the vote reflects the challenges of aligning environmental policy with economic and industrial priorities across 27 member states. The European Council is now expected to take up the matter when it convenes in October, where national leaders will consider whether to endorse the proposed target as part of the EU’s long-term climate strategy.
Until then, the bloc continues internal consultations, with member states seeking to balance environmental commitments with economic resilience, industrial competitiveness, and long-term energy security amid ongoing geopolitical and regulatory challenges across the region. – By Content Syndication Services.