By Atoyebi Nike
European Union member states have failed to strike a final agreement on key emissions-reduction targets ahead of next week’s COP30 climate summit in Brazil, forcing negotiators to extend talks into Wednesday. For months, countries have been divided over two major goals: a binding 2035 emissions target for the UN talks and a longer-term 2040 target proposed by the European Commission.
Despite overnight discussions in Brussels, no consensus was reached. Denmark, which holds the EU’s rotating presidency, said early Wednesday that a political deal was within reach but required further negotiations.
The EU faces pressure to present a unified 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) at COP30. German Environment Minister Carsten Schneider said Europe must arrive in Brazil with a clear mandate to show leadership.
The 2040 emissions proposal calling for a 90 percent cut compared to 1990 levels also remains contentious. While Spain, Germany, and the Nordic states support the plan, countries including Italy, Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic oppose it over fears of damage to their industrial sectors. France has yet to reveal its final stance, demanding safeguards for its nuclear industry and flexibility if carbon absorption by forests underperforms.
To win over skeptical states, EU negotiators discussed allowing countries to use international carbon credits for part of their emission cuts. The European Commission suggested a three percent credit threshold, but some countries are pushing for up to five percent and biennial reassessments of targets.
Environmental groups have criticized the growing list of exemptions, warning that loopholes could weaken Europe’s climate ambitions. Diplomats involved in the talks, however, argue that compromise is necessary to keep the bloc united.
The EU has already cut emissions by 37 percent since 1990 and continues to position itself as a global climate leader, providing €31.7 billion in public climate finance in 2024.
