COP30: Belgium wants 'clear and credible guarantees' before supporting EU climate target

Belgium wants "clear and credible guarantees" before it can agree to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90 per cent by 2040. This emerged on Tuesday during negotiations between European environment ministers on new climate targets.

The ministers met in Brussels on Tuesday for an extra Council session to seek a compromise on the 2035 and 2040 emission reduction targets. The talks come just days before the start of the COP30 UN climate conference in Brazil, where EU leaders want to present a united position.

The European Commission has proposed cutting emissions by 90 per cent by 2040 compared to 1990 levels. To address concerns about competitiveness and energy security, the proposal includes some flexibility measures. But these do not go far enough for several member states, including Belgium.

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"We are open to supporting the 90 per cent target, but only if clear and credible guarantees are included in the climate law," said Bert Versmessen, deputy permanent representative of Belgium to the EU. "That is not yet the case."

Behind the scenes, Belgium is still working to finalise a joint position between the federal government and the regions. Versmessen stressed that Belgium remained committed to "an ambitious but realistic and pragmatic compromise that reconciles climate ambition, competitiveness and social justice".

Member states want flexibility

The Commission’s plan would allow member states to meet up to 3 per cent of their reduction effort from 2036 by financing climate projects abroad. Some countries want that share increased or introduced earlier. Poland has called for a 10 per cent flexibility margin.

At the request of EU leaders, Denmark, which currently holds the presidency of the Council, has added a review clause. The 2040 target would be reassessed every two years based on scientific, technological and economic developments.

The 2040 target amends the EU Climate Law, which commits the bloc to climate neutrality by 2050. It must be approved by at least 15 member states representing 65 per cent of the EU population before negotiations can begin with the European Parliament.

^{Prime minister Bart De Wever and European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth Wopke Hoekstra © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK}

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