EU Council Endorses 2040 Climate Target Amendment, Paving Way for Negotiations with Parliament

The Council of the European Union announced on Wednesday that member states have reached a common position on proposed amendments to the European Climate Law, endorsing the European Commission’s recommendation for a 2040 climate target. The Council approved a 90 percent reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990 levels by 2040, reaffirming its long-term commitment to climate neutrality by 2050.
The updated framework establishes the Council’s negotiating stance ahead of talks with the European Parliament, which will finalize the revised legislation. The position also clarifies flexibility provisions in the Commission’s proposal and introduces a biennial assessment system to evaluate progress toward interim climate objectives.
In parallel, the Council approved an updated nationally determined contribution (NDC) for the EU and its member states, to be submitted ahead of the COP30 summit in Brazil. This move reflects the bloc’s continued efforts to align its climate strategy with global emissions-reduction goals.
Initially adopted in 2021, the European Climate Law set binding targets of at least a 55 percent emissions cut by 2030 and full climate neutrality by 2050. The new amendment marks a significant step toward bridging those milestones with an intermediate 2040 target.