05. 11. 2025
AUTHOR: Strategic Perspectives
The European Union (EU) environment ministers reached an agreement today on the 2040 climate target, setting the direction for Europe’s path toward a net 90% reduction in emissions. The ministers also finalised the EU’s new international climate pledge (Nationally Determined Contribution, ‘NDC’) ahead of COP30.
Executive Director Linda Kalcher commented: “Achieving this result was a major success, even if it comes with a bitter aftertaste. Ministers have set a clear pathway towards 2040, and this shows the EU is staying the course on its decarbonisation despite volatile geopolitics and some domestic attacks. This is a hard-fought win for the Danish presidency, which managed to bring even the most concerned countries on board.”
Director Neil Makaroff analysed: “Despite concessions to get a majority, the deal sends a long-overdue signal to investors, businesses, and global partners that the EU will not follow the trend set across the Atlantic and remains committed to the net-zero race. The direction is set and rolling back on the Green Deal laws will not make the target any easier to reach, nor will it make EU industry more competitive in the emerging net-zero industrial race. The focus of the next months should rather be on the critical reforms needed to electrify the economy and boost net-zero industrial champions in Europe.”
Executive Director Linda Kalcher added: “Unanimity among countries is hard to achieve but with this NDC, the EU’s mandate for COP is complete. Together with the encouraging climate finance numbers, the EU shows its commitment to multilateral cooperation on climate in a volatile geopolitical context.”
Media contact:
Mirta Baselovic, Communications Officer
