Divided EU Seeks UN Intervention for Temporary Climate Target

Last week, the Danish EU presidency abandoned hopes of finalizing the EU’s 2040 climate target.

Consequently, the EU is now likely to forfeit a robust 2035 climate target to present to the UN.

This became apparent following a meeting of EU country ambassadors.

Instead, the Danish presidency received backing to pursue a declaration of intent at Thursday’s environment ministers’ meeting in Brussels.

This declaration is intended to outline the EU’s aspirations regarding the 2035 target.

The Danish presidency noted in a written statement, “Overall, we received broad support for preparing a declaration of intent for Thursday’s Environment Council meeting. This strategy will ensure that the EU arrives at the UN climate conference prepared.”

Initially, Denmark aimed to achieve consensus on the EU’s 2040 climate target during the Thursday meeting.

Following that, it was anticipated that the EU could derive an ambitious 2035 target from the 2040 target for submission to the UN.

A strong 2035 target would provide the EU with significant leverage to encourage global emissions reductions at COP30 in Brazil this November.

However, Germany and France, the EU’s two most populous nations, resisted the 2040 climate target at last week’s meeting, backed by industry-heavy countries like Italy, Poland, and the Czech Republic.

This highlighted a growing skepticism among EU nations regarding high climate goals. Denmark now finds itself among a smaller group of countries, including the Nordic nations and Spain, that genuinely advocate for urgent climate action.

In contrast, several EU countries, including Germany and France, have started to hesitate due to economic challenges exacerbated by elevated energy prices.

As a result of opposition, particularly from Germany and France, the 2040 climate target will be discussed at an upcoming EU summit instead.

The EU Commission has suggested that the 2040 target aim for a 90 percent reduction in greenhouse gases compared to 1990 levels.

However, countries like Hungary view this goal as overly ambitious, while others seek more flexibility in achieving it.

During Thursday’s ministerial meeting, Denmark is expected to work to maintain a link between the EU Commission’s proposal for a 90 percent reduction by 2040 and the planned declaration of intent regarding the 2035 target.

The key question now is whether EU countries will cooperate during Thursday’s meeting:

“We recognize differing opinions on the specifics and balance of the declaration of intent, and we understand the necessity for consensus on this matter at Thursday’s meeting,” the Danish EU presidency commented in writing.

In 2023, the EU was responsible for six percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, down from 15.2 percent in 1990. The EU aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

Currently, the largest emitters are the USA, China, and India.