European Union climate ministers have approved a formal statement of intent to reduce EU greenhouse gas emissions by up to 72.5 percent by 2035, marking a step toward updating the bloc’s climate goals under the Paris Agreement. The decision was announced on Thursday following a meeting of ministers in Brussels. The statement outlines a target range of 66.25 percent to 72.5 percent emissions reduction compared to 1990 levels. It will be presented at the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week as part of a broader push by the UN for countries to update their Nationally Determined Contributions.
The move comes as part of international preparations for the COP30 climate summit in Brazil in 2025. The EU’s current legally binding target is to cut emissions by at least 55 percent by 2030, with the long-term goal of reaching net-zero by 2050. The proposed 2035 range represents a bridging target between these two milestones. The decision to submit a statement of intent, rather than a formal NDC, reflects ongoing internal discussions among EU member states, which have not yet reached consensus on a binding emissions target for 2040.
European Commissioner for Climate Action Wopke Hoekstra confirmed that the EU would send the non-binding document to the UN as an interim measure. He stated that the bloc remains one of the most ambitious global actors on climate action and that the intention is to deliver a clear position ahead of COP30. The move was facilitated by Denmark, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU. The Danish delegation coordinated efforts to secure agreement among all 27 member states on the proposed emissions range.
EU aligns 2035 target with 2030 and 2050 policy benchmarks
The statement was adopted with the aim of maintaining EU credibility on the international stage as governments worldwide prepare to enhance their commitments under the Paris framework. While the statement is not a finalised NDC submission under the Paris Agreement, it is intended to demonstrate the EU’s direction of travel and commitment to climate targets. A final decision on the bloc’s 2040 climate target, which will influence the formal 2035 figure, is expected at a forthcoming summit of EU leaders in October.
The European Commission had previously proposed a 90 percent emissions reduction by 2040, but that figure remains under discussion. Several member states have expressed concerns over the pace and cost of emissions reductions, particularly in sectors such as energy, industry, and transport. The UN has called on all countries to present updated climate plans at next week’s General Assembly as part of efforts to revive global momentum toward limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Emissions cut range reflects internal EU policy balance
Under the Paris Agreement, countries are required to submit updated NDCs every five years, and the 2025 deadline represents a key moment in the global climate process. The EU remains the world’s third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases after China and the United States. Its climate policy, known as the European Green Deal, has included a broad set of legislative reforms aimed at decarbonising the economy, promoting clean energy, and reducing fossil fuel dependence.
The bloc’s submission to the UN is expected to be acknowledged during high-level discussions but will not substitute for a formal NDC. Officials have indicated that a binding commitment for 2035 will be determined only after final agreement on the 2040 target, which is under negotiation among EU leaders and scheduled for decision at a summit in October. The outcome of that meeting will guide the bloc’s next official NDC submission under the Paris Agreement framework. – By EuroWire News Desk.