Brussels – An additional meeting for environment ministers was held in Brussels to reach an agreement on climate targets for 2035 and 2040 among EU nations. However, no consensus was achieved, leading to only a joint declaration of intent.
“This is a significant disappointment,” stated Sweden’s climate and environment minister Romina Pourmokhtari. She expressed concern that the delay will hinder the EU’s ability to present concrete proposals at the upcoming major climate summit, COP30, in Brazil this November.
“Hesitation is a luxury we cannot afford. We have made substantial progress and do not believe that prolonging discussions will yield better outcomes; instead, it risks weakening both the legislation regarding the 2040 target and our NDC for 2035,” she remarked in Brussels on Thursday.
Countries such as Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic are among those hesitant, firmly opposing the EU Commission’s proposed 90% emissions reduction target for 2040.
Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra maintains a hopeful outlook about unifying all parties involved.
“Political processes are rarely a direct path from A to B. I am confident that we will find a resolution in the coming weeks,” Hoekstra stated.
(September 18)
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