The European Union is set to convene on Thursday to finalize an emissions-cutting plan to be presented at the upcoming United Nations COP30 climate conference in Brazil. Environment ministers from the 27-member bloc are gathering in Brussels, racing against time to meet a UN deadline for producing plans to combat global warming by 2035. As one of the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitters, the EU has been a leader in climate action, but internal divisions on its green agenda threaten to undermine this position.
The EU had initially aimed to derive its submission to the COP30 conference from a more ambitious 2040 goal, but this has yet to be agreed upon by member states. Denmark, which holds the EU’s rotating presidency, has proposed submitting a “statement of intent” to the UN, rather than a hard target. This would include a pledge to cut emissions by 66.3 percent to 72.5 percent compared to 1990 levels, with the range expected to be narrowed down at a later stage.
The nearly 200 countries party to the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate action were required to submit updated policies in February, providing a tougher 2035 emissions reduction target and a detailed blueprint for achieving it. However, only a handful of countries met this deadline, and the deadline was subsequently extended to September. The EU’s “statement of intent” is seen as a compromise, with a senior EU diplomat describing it as “much better than nothing” and a way to “save the EU’s face” at the international level.
The EU has set a goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050 under its European Green Deal and claims to have already cut emissions by 37 percent compared to 1990. However, climate action has taken a backseat in Brussels in recent times, with security and defense becoming more pressing concerns. Right-wing electoral gains in several member states and the European Parliament have also curbed ambitions, and the European Commission has prioritized boosting industry in the face of fierce competition from China and US tariffs.
The commission’s proposal to cut emissions by 90 percent by 2040 has been met with resistance from some member states, which view it as over-ambitious and detrimental to industry. France, which is struggling with financial and political crises, is seeking more clarity on the investment framework to support decarbonization before committing to the target. The delay in reaching a decision on the 2040 target has sent a “bad signal” and brought into question the EU’s leadership on climate action, according to environmental groups.
The EU’s ability to reach a compromise on its emissions-cutting plan will be crucial in maintaining its credibility on climate action. As the world’s third-largest emitter, the EU’s actions will have a significant impact on global efforts to combat climate change. The upcoming COP30 conference in Brazil will provide a platform for the EU to demonstrate its commitment to reducing emissions and mitigating the effects of global warming.
