France Urges EU Leaders to Set 2040 Climate Target, Not Ministers

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In a significant development for climate policy within the European Union, France has stepped up its demands regarding the bloc’s ambitious climate goals, advocating for a decision on the 2040 emissions target to be made by national leaders rather than environment ministers. This shift in approach has raised concerns about the potential delays and complications that could arise from such a move, as the EU grapples with the pressing need for decisive action on climate change.

Scheduled for September 18, the EU’s 27 environment ministers are set to convene to vote on the 2040 emissions reduction target. This date was strategically chosen to ensure that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen can present a united front at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly’s climate summit. However, France’s insistence on elevating the decision to the European Council, which comprises heads of state and government, poses a significant risk to reaching a swift agreement.

According to sources within the EU, the French government’s push for leader-level involvement is fraught with challenges. While a qualified majority is sufficient for a ministerial vote, achieving consensus among leaders would require unanimity, meaning that all EU member states—including those with sceptical views like Hungary and Poland—would need to endorse the target. This requirement could lead to prolonged negotiations and further complicate the timeline for reaching a consensus.

The implications of such a delay are significant. The European Council is not scheduled to convene until late October, which would push back the agreement on the 2040 target. This could result in the European Commission and Denmark—currently leading negotiations on the matter—having to consider separating the 2040 target from the EU’s related 2035 emissions goal, which could ultimately weaken the latter. The urgency is heightened by the United Nations’ requirements for countries to submit their 2035 targets by the end of September, a key milestone under the Paris climate agreement.

World leaders are set to gather on September 24 on the sidelines of the General Assembly to present their emissions reduction plans, with the 2035 targets forming a central focus of the upcoming COP30 U.N. climate summit in Brazil. As the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement approaches, France has positioned itself as a key custodian of the treaty, making the stakes even higher for a successful outcome.

With the United States stepping back from international climate initiatives during the Trump administration, many observers are looking to the EU to take on a leadership role. Should von der Leyen arrive at the U.N. without a clear target, it would be seen as a significant setback for the EU’s credibility on the global stage, a sentiment echoed by diplomats within the bloc.

Brussels and Denmark are adamant that the 2035 target should be directly linked to the 2040 goal, maintaining the connection between the two. An alternative approach would involve basing the U.N.-mandated plan on the EU’s more distant 2050 climate neutrality deadline, which would likely lead to a weaker 2035 target.

The Danish government is pressing for a vote on both targets during the September 18 meeting, providing a mere two weeks for member states to align their positions. Yet, several EU countries are advocating for a separation of the two targets. Some seek additional time to negotiate the 2040 target, while others wish to dilute the 2035 goal. Notably, French President Emmanuel Macron has previously expressed a desire to decouple these targets, further complicating the negotiations.

Countries such as Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary are also in favour of a leader-level discussion. Furthermore, Italy has expressed the need for “a political discussion and more time” to reach an agreement on the target. As of now, neither the French government nor the Élysée Palace has responded to requests for comments on the unfolding situation.

As we move forward, the path to a climate agreement appears fraught with political nuances and potential pitfalls. The decisions made in the coming weeks will undoubtedly shape the EU’s climate trajectory and its role in global climate leadership. The stakes are high, and the outcomes will resonate far beyond the confines of Brussels.

Stay tuned for further updates as this critical story develops, and continue to champion the cause of net zero in your communities.

Yours in sustainability,

The Net Zero News Team

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