“There are issues that [some countries] have brought to the Environment Council that exceed its competencies – such as state aids to industry, industrial development, and therefore, these are not environmental issues, but rather issues of industrial policy, financing […] – for which there needs to be good political will at the European level to be ambitious on climate,” stated Portugal’s Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho.
On the day the EU environment ministers gathered in Luxembourg and just before a European Council where Union heads of government and state will debate how to achieve the EU’s climate goals for neutrality by 2050, the minister emphasized the “very important” need for consensus on a common message and intermediate targets as “Europe has always been at the lead” on climate matters.
It is clear that Portugal “supports the 90% target” of reducing pollutant emissions by 2040 and the intermediate objectives, even as it seeks to negotiate some flexibilities concerning credits related to international projects, explained the government official.
Countries like France want to link this discussion with state support and industrial development policies, while others, such as Eastern European nations including Poland and the Czech Republic, hesitate on targets due to low compliance rates.
Currently, EU countries are divided on their climate path for 2040, yet they aim to present a common message at the upcoming significant UN climate conference (COP30), set for November in Brazil.
The EU’s discussion on climate targets for 2040 revolves around a European Commission proposal aiming for a 90% reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions (compared to 1990 levels) as an interim step toward 2050 climate neutrality.
The concept involves approving an emissions reduction range in the EU over the next decade (-66.3% to -72.5% compared to 1990) and later specifying the target once the 27 member states have reached a compromise on their 2040 trajectory.
This target is legally binding and requires co-decision with the European Parliament, although it does not necessitate unanimous approval in the Council (of ministers).
The EU is also striving for a common message for COP30 in Brazil, which, while indicative, requires unanimity.
These are the topics European leaders will discuss at Thursday’s summit, with no decisions expected but rather political guidelines on the conditions necessary to achieve climate targets.
This is expected to be one of the most contentious topics at the European Council meeting, according to European sources consulted.
“The goal of this debate is not to weaken our climate ambitions and objectives, but rather to discuss among leaders how we can ensure them,” stated a senior European official, speaking in anticipation of the meeting.
