Story perspectives

EU Ministers Admit Emissions Target Deadline Will Be Missed

9/19/2025

Summary

Story summary

On September 18, 2025, EU climate ministers acknowledged they will miss a UN deadline for new emissions targets due to internal divisions.
Major emitters, including China and Australia, are likely to meet the deadline, while the EU struggles to reach consensus on 2035 and 2040 targets.
A fallback "statement of intent" targets a 66.25% to 72.5% emissions reduction by 2035.
France and Germany are blocking progress, citing economic concerns over ambitious targets.
The EU risks losing credibility ahead of COP30 in November, potentially undermining its climate leadership globally.

History

Historical Context

The Kyoto Protocol, established in 1997, marked a significant commitment for industrialized nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with the EU pledging an 8% reduction by 2012. However, internal divisions among EU members, particularly France and Germany, now threaten progress on 2035 and 2040 targets, jeopardizing the EU's credibility in global climate negotiations ahead of COP30.

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Story summary

On September 18, 2025, EU climate ministers acknowledged they will miss a UN deadline for new emissions targets due to internal divisions.
Major emitters, including China and Australia, are likely to meet the deadline, while the EU struggles to reach consensus on 2035 and 2040 targets.
A fallback "statement of intent" targets a 66.25% to 72.5% emissions reduction by 2035.
France and Germany are blocking progress, citing economic concerns over ambitious targets.
The EU risks losing credibility ahead of COP30 in November, potentially undermining its climate leadership globally.

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