EU strikes tentative climate deal ahead of COP30
The compromise agreement, which adds flexibilities sought by holdout countries, came a day before the COP30 summit in Brazil
EU environment ministers reached a tentative agreement early on Wednesday on a weakened 2040 emissions target following more than 18 hours of wrangling between climate-ambitious countries like Germany, Spain, and Sweden, and holdouts including Italy and Poland.
The compromise sets a 90% cut in emissions from 1990 levels but allows countries to offset up to 5% of those reductions with foreign carbon credits, according to a draft document seen by Reuters. A further 5% could be outsourced later, offering additional flexibility to reluctant member states.
During the talks, Poland and Italy pushed for 10 percentage points to be outsourced, with Rome insisting that half the scheme be financed with EU funds, demands seen by others as a step too far for the pro-climate bloc.
The deal, expected to be formally approved later on Wednesday, ensures the EU has avoided arriving empty-handed at the COP30 summit in Brazil on Thursday, where Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is due to meet global counterparts.
Agreement on the 2040 goal paves the way for a UN-mandated 2035 climate target that requires unanimous approval.
Talks were briefly suspended around 1:30 a.m., before Denmark, which chaired the negotiations, recalled delegations 40 minutes later amid rumours of a breakthrough. Informal consultations then continued into the early hours, according to several delegations.
Earlier on Tuesday, frustration had mounted among both camps, with several countries accusing the Danish presidency of mismanaging the talks, setting unrealistic expectations, and offering concessions too early in the process.
(cz)
