EU environment ministers failed to seal a deal on Tuesday night on the bloc’s 2040 emissions target after more than 15 hours of wrangling between climate-ambitious countries like Germany, Spain, and Sweden, and holdouts including Italy and Poland.
On the table was a proposal to slash emissions by 90% compared to 1990 levels, which was rejected by a majority of EU countries. To win over sceptics, Brussels floated outsourcing three percentage points of the target through a UN-backed mechanism, but the compromise fell short.
Poland and Italy now want 10 percentage points outsourced, with Rome insisting that half the scheme be financed with EU funds – combined with other demands, a step too far for the pro-climate bloc.
Negotiations paused around 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning, before Denmark, which chairs the talks, abruptly called delegations back 40 minutes later amid rumours of a breakthrough – though it remains unclear whether one materialised. Informal consultations then continued into the early hours, according to several delegations.
Talks will likely resume Wednesday morning in a last-ditch attempt to break the impasse, according to a spokesperson for Denmark, which currently holds the rotating Council presidency.
The ministers are running out of time to produce a deal before COP30 opens in Brazil on Thursday. An agreement on the 2040 goal would also unlock a UN-mandated 2035 climate target requiring unanimous approval.
Several delegations from both sides of the fight blamed Copenhagen for mismanaging the negotiations, accusing the Danish presidency of unrealistic expectations and making concessions too early in the process.
This is a developing story. Check back later for updates.
(cz)
