EU leaders push for 10-year carbon-cut deal ahead of UN climate summit

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on France 24 or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: EU leaders met in Brussels on Thursday in a final push to agree on a 10-year emissions reduction target ahead of the UN COP30 climate summit in Brazil
• While no formal decision was made, leaders reaffirmed their climate commitments and debated a proposed 90% emissions cut by 2040 from 1990 levels
• Discussions focused on balancing environmental ambition with economic concerns, especially from industry-heavy member states.

🔭 The context: The European Commission’s proposed 2040 target is intended to guide the EU’s 2035 climate plan, required under the Paris Agreement
• However, with mounting pressure from industries facing global competition—particularly the automotive sector—some member states, including Poland and the Czech Republic, have pushed back, arguing the target is too aggressive
• EU leaders are also debating the use of carbon credits and potential revisions to the 2035 internal combustion engine ban to ease implementation

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: As the third-largest global emitter, the EU’s climate trajectory is critical to achieving global decarbonisation targets
• The bloc’s ability to maintain leadership in climate action while managing internal political and economic friction will shape the credibility of international efforts at COP30
• A weakened or delayed EU commitment could undermine momentum and stall investment in green innovation and infrastructure at a time when global emissions continue to rise

⏭️ What's next: Negotiations will continue at the diplomatic level in the coming weeks, with a deal expected before COP30 begins on November 10
• Key sticking points include the scale of the emissions cut, flexibility mechanisms like carbon credits, and a possible early review of the combustion engine phase-out
• The final outcome will determine the EU’s positioning and influence at the global summit

💬 One quote: “Today’s conclusions strike a careful balance between addressing political concerns and providing the steer needed to move forward on key policy decisions,” said Elisa Giannelli of the E3G climate think tank

📈 One stat: The EU has already reduced emissions by 37% compared to 1990 levels, but a 90% cut by 2040 would mark one of the most ambitious climate targets among major economies

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