EU agrees on draft 2035 climate target, but details still missing

European environment ministers have agreed on a joint declaration aiming to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 66.25 per cent to 72.5 per cent by 2035, compared to 1990 levels. The deal, reached after lengthy talks in Brussels, is not a binding target but meant to show unity ahead of next week’s UN General Assembly in New York.

The declaration confirms the EU’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and stresses that the bloc remains on track to meet its 2030 goal of a 55 per cent cut. However, ministers failed to agree on a precise 2035 or 2040 target, reflecting sharp divisions between member states. Countries such as Spain and Sweden are pushing for higher ambition, while France, Germany and several eastern states remain cautious, citing economic concerns.

EU Climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra said he was confident the EU would keep its reputation as a global climate leader. Ministers hope to set a firm 2035 target before the UN climate summit in Belém, Brazil, this November. EU leaders are expected to revisit the issue at their 23 October summit.

Green MEP Sara Matthieu criticised the outcome as too weak. “This vague commitment falls short of the 90 per cent cut by 2040 that scientists and we in Parliament see as necessary”, she warned. “Europe risks losing its climate leadership and letting down citizens already working hard to go green.”

^{© BELGA PHOTO ERIC LALMAND}