Climate organisations slam EU ‘ambiguity’ over 2035 target

Environmental organisations like the World Resources Institute and Climate Action Tracker have criticised the EU’s lack of commitment to a clear 2035 target ahead of COP30.

The European Council yesterday (September 18) published a statement of intent regarding the bloc’s 2035 nationally determined contribution (NDC) – the climate targets signatories of the Paris Agreement are due to announce by November.

The statement indicates that the EU expects to submit its NDC ahead of COP30 with an “indicative 2035 target in a range between 66.25% and 72.5% greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction, compared to 1990 levels” – an assertion seen as ambiguous.

“It is a concern that the European Union has on the one hand expressed its ‘unwavering commitment’ to the Paris Agreement and its goal of limiting the global temperature increase to 1.5˚C, and yet appears unable to adopt a target let alone an indicative range that comes close to the greater than 77% reduction needed for 1.5° alignment,” commented the Climate Action Tracker (CAT).

Lack of 2035 NDC from the EU already causing ‘political damage’

The organisation added that “the political damage from this failure is already evident”, with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pointing to “the weak indicative range from the European Union as support for his own weak target” of cutting emissions to 62-70% below 2005 levels by 2035. (Scientists expected Australia to aim for a 75% reduction, which would have been in line with a temperature increase of more than 2°C.)

At the World Resources Institute (WRI), Stientje van Veldhoven, Vice President and Regional Director for Europe, worries that “the wide range risks sending a confusing message, eroding investor confidence and undermining jobs, energy security, and competitiveness”.

“In a global clean technology race, such ambiguity could undermine the EU’s industrial competitiveness and put jobs and markets in jeopardy. Striving for at least 72.5% is not just ambitious – it’s what science, businesses, and citizens are demanding,” he added.

Infighting over 2040 climate target 

The reason the EU was unable to agree on its 2035 NDC this month – despite calls by the COP30 Presidency to submit all climate targets before the UN general assembly next week – is that countries are yet to confirm the 2040 target proposed by the European Commission in July.

France, Germany, Poland and Italy blocked a vote on the topic this week, arguing that more discussions were needed before agreeing on the 90% emissions reduction proposed. “Ten years after the Paris Agreement, France is now among those holding back climate action. Instead of adopting a 2040 climate target the issue is being kicked down the road to the European Council meeting in late October,” WWF commented on the decision.

A special European Council meeting is now due to take place in late October, just before COP30, to finalise the 2035 and 2040 targets. “The EU must seize this moment and deliver a Paris-compatible NDC that puts it firmly on the path to 1.5°C. At a time when global leadership is urgently needed, the EU cannot afford to be missing in action,” said CAT.