EU Delays Decision on 2040 Climate Target Amid Pushback from Member States
Brussels, Belgium: The European Union has hit the brakes on its big 2040 climate emissions target. Officials decided not to vote on it next week, as originally planned. Instead, they’re giving countries more time to dig into the proposal. This move comes as part of the EU’s push for climate neutrality by 2050 under its broader Climate Law.
The Danish EU Presidency wanted ministers to decide during the Environment Council meeting on September 18. But an EU official shared with Euro News that member states aren’t ready yet. Now, the hot topic will head to the EU heads of state summit in October for deeper talks.
Back in July, the European Commission suggested cutting emissions by 90% by 2040 compared to 1990 levels. This builds on the EU’s current goal of at least 55% reduction by 2030. The 2040 target is key to guiding national plans under the Paris Agreement, which countries will update at COP30 in Brazil next year.
Why the delay? One EU official explained to Euro News that the timing feels off geopolitically, and the proposal landed too late. Countries want a smarter balance between bold climate action and keeping Europe’s economy competitive. Another official added, "We can’t back the text as it is right now."
An EU diplomat hopes the October summit sparks a real breakthrough, avoiding a simple yes-or-no vote that could let the least ambitious countries drag everyone down. Still, they admitted a final decision might not happen even then.
Not everyone’s on board. Slovakia and Hungary have slammed the plan, saying it could hurt their industries. Slovakia’s Environment Minister Tomas Taraba called it out of touch: "These ideological proposals show Brussels bureaucrats have lost contact with reality. They don’t get the economic risks to Slovak industry." France, meanwhile, insists EU leaders—not just ministers—should make the call.
The debate also heats up around carbon credits, those tradable permits that let companies offset CO2 emissions. EU diplomats are eyeing rules to make sure international credits don’t mess with the bloc’s Emissions Trading System (ETS). They’re even looking at storing CO2 outside the EU.
One diplomat said, "We’re open to carbon credits, but we need clearer rules." But critics aren’t buying it. Austrian MEP Lena Schilling, who’s handling the 2040 target in the European Parliament, blasted the idea as a sellout. "Diluting the target with carbon credits means wasting billions on foreign pollution rights instead of real action at home. We need a full 90% cut within the EU by 2040—anything less betrays our youth and taxpayers."
Sven Harmeling, climate head at Climate Action Network Europe, echoed the concerns. He warned that leaning on international credits could weaken the EU’s climate goals and jack up transition costs. "It would mean shipping tens of billions of euros abroad, money that should fund homegrown decarbonization," he told Euro News.
As the EU wrestles with this 2040 climate target, the world watches. Balancing green ambitions with economic realities won’t be easy, but the October summit could be a game-changer for Europe’s path to net-zero emissions.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
