Commission welcomes strengthened EU climate ambition ahead of COP30

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.

The Commission welcomes the agreement reached by Member States on an ambitious new EU Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement. Ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil, the EU is sending a strong, united signal to the global community that it remainsfirmly committed to achieving the Paris Agreement goals, and to working with global partners to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This clearly shows the EU’s commitment and leadership.

The new EU NDC, which will now be submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), is to reduce net GHG emissions by 66.25 –72.5 % below 1990 levels by 2035, covering all sectors of the economy and all GHGs. This is an ambitious milestone on the path to a 90% net reduction by 2040 compared to 1990 levels, leading the way towards EU climate neutrality by 2050.

The Commission also welcomes the progress made by Member States on agreeing on a general approach on the 2040 EU climate target. They have agreed to a legally binding headline 2040 target of 90% with a domestic target of 85% and up to 5% of international carbon credits. The next step will be the negotiations with the European Parliament. The Commission stands ready to help ensure a swift agreement while underlining the importance of maintaining the essence of the proposal.

The Commission has set out a pragmatic and flexible pathway to 2040 that reflects today’s economic, security and geopolitical realities, while giving investors and business the predictability needed to drive forward the EU’s clean transition and industrial competitiveness. It provides the right enabling conditions to deliver the 90% target, including full implementation of the Clean Industrial Deal.

The EU now goes to COP30 with its new NDC, advanced discussions on the 2040 target, and a clear message: Europe is staying the course and delivering on its climate commitments, at home and on the global stage.

Background

The European Climate Law, in force since July 2021, legally anchors the EU’s commitment to climate neutrality by 2050 and to reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. The EU has adopted a 2030 legislative package known as ‘Fit for 55′ and its implementation by EU Member States is underway. The Commission’s assessment of national energy and climate plans confirms that the EU remains on track to collectively meet its 2030 goals, reinforcing the credibility of its long-term trajectory.

Under the Climate Law, the EU was required to set an intermediate 2040 climate target to guide the path to climate neutrality. This proposal had to be presented within six months of the conclusion of the first Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement achieved in December 2023. The Commission’s proposal, tabled in July 2025, is now being negotiated under the EU ordinary legislative procedure and has formed the basis for the new EU NDC.

For More Information

Press release – EU aims to advance global clean transition and implementation of the Paris Agreement at UN’s COP30  

Remarks by Commissioner Hoekstra at the Environment Council press conference of 5 November 2025