Brussels is responding to the United Nations' missed deadline and growing disagreements among member states.
The European Union plans to set new emission reduction targets for 2035 and 2040 before the COP30 climate summit, which will take place in Belém, Brazil, in November.
Ursula Von der Leyen added that although the Union had not met the current United Nations deadline for approving the commitments, Brussels was determined to present concrete targets for the summit itself.
While other major economies, including China, have met the deadline, the EU has fallen behind. Von der Leyen said in a video message at an event in Brussels that Europe would present so-called nationally determined contributions for 2035 and 2040 to contribute to the joint effort to reduce global emissions.
The Commission President acknowledged that member states have different views on climate targets. In her opinion, the approach must therefore be adapted to the reality that is being changed by fierce global competition. "How we achieve these goals will vary. The world has changed. We need more flexibility and pragmatism. Only in this way can we ensure stability for workers, clear rules for businesses, and security for investors," she explained.
At the same time, she emphasized that the Union is sticking to its climate targets. In her opinion, Brussels is reducing bureaucracy to make the green transition easier for businesses and is investing in electricity grids. This should bring direct benefits to consumers in the form of cheaper renewable energy.
However, the debate on climate commitments is taking place at a time when US President Donald Trump is moving toward curbing climate action, European economies are stagnating, and more money is being spent on defense. This is increasing pressure from some member states calling for a slowdown in the green agenda.
The COP30 summit in Belém will be a test of the willingness of major economies to continue their climate commitments. Doubts remain about the Union's ability to adopt the targets in time, as several countries, including France, Germany, and Poland, have postponed the discussion until the summit of heads of state and government in October.
This means that Member States have only a few weeks left to finalize the documents. “I don't know if we'll make it to Belém. It depends on many factors,” admitted a senior Polish representative.
(reuters, lud)