As the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) took place in Belém, Brazil (10‑21 November), the European Union emerged with increased climate ambition and global leadership.
The proposal presented by the Commission, which sets out a strengthened climate framework for the post-2030 period and introduces a 2040 climate target, builds on the foundations of the European Climate Law. This law already makes the EU’s 2050 climate-neutrality objective legally binding and establishes an intermediate reduction of at least -55% by 2030. It ensures that all EU policies align with this path, supported by monitoring mechanisms, regular scientific review, and sector-specific planning, and it also created the conditions for defining future targets, including the newly proposed 2040 target.
In line with the Commission’s Political Guidelines for 2024-2029, the European Commission recommended reducing the EU’s net greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040 relative to 1990. In November 2025, Member States endorsed this ambition by agreeing on a general approach in the Environment Council to a legally binding 2040 headline target of -90%, consisting of an 85% domestic reduction complemented by up to 5% of international carbon credits.
In this context, the Commission has also indicated an interim ambition for 2035 (–66.25% to –72.5%) and reaffirmed key long-term commitments such as strengthening carbon sinks, investing in clean technologies, and ensuring a socially fair, irreversible transition.
These updated commitments (including the proposed 2040 climate target of -90% net greenhouse gas emissions relative to 1990, the breakdown of an 85% domestic reduction plus up to 5% international carbon credits, and the indicative 2035 emissions range) make up the core of the EU’s official submission to the UNFCC ahead of COP30. This submission sets out the Union’s revised climate pathway under the Paris Agreement and establishes its formal negotiating position for the conference.
Alongside the new targets, the Commission highlights continued efforts to accelerate clean-energy innovation, support industrial transition, and boost investment in renewables. With this package, the EU reinforces its intent to stay on track toward net-zero emissions by 2050, and to lead global climate action as negotiations unfold in Belém.
Key Goals and Actions
The updated climate framework, which will be reviewed biennially, focuses on several critical areas:
- Emissions reductions: The EU’s 2040 target of 90% reduction in GHG emissions will serve as a cornerstone for achieving its long-term climate neutrality by 2050.
- International cooperation: The EU is increasing its financial contributions to help developing countries address climate change, including climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.
- Investment in green technologies: The EU is scaling up investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and low-carbon industrial solutions through instruments such as the Innovation Fund, IPCEIs on batteries and hydrogen, REPowerEU measures, and Horizon Europe research programmes. These initiatives support technologies ranging from advanced solar and wind manufacturing to green hydrogen, carbon-capture solutions, and energy-storage systems, accelerating the global uptake of clean technologies.
To support these objectives, the Commission is reinforcing the EU’s climate legislation, by tightening the Emissions Trading System, raising national targets under the Effort Sharing and LULUCF Regulations (land use, forestry, carbon removals), and aligning sectoral policies with the new 2040 goal. It is also improving coordination with Member States and expanding the use of market-based tools, including international carbon credits.
A New Global Strategy for a Clean and Resilient Transition
Ahead of COP30, the EU has also presented a new international climate and energy strategy designed to secure Europe’s role in global clean-technology markets and strengthen partnerships worldwide. The strategy adds an external dimension to the Clean Industrial Deal and aims to position the EU as a leading supplier of clean technologies and adaptation solutions.
Central elements include:
• Diplomacy and partnerships: Expanding Green Alliances, Just Energy Transition Partnerships, free-trade agreements, and clean-trade initiatives.
• Boosting EU clean-tech competitiveness: Increasing clean-tech manufacturing capacity to 15% of the global market and using the Global Gateway Investment Hub to support joint projects abroad.
• Strengthening climate security: Advancing work on the climate–security nexus, supporting carbon pricing globally, and countering climate-related disinformation.
With nearly half of EU electricity already produced from renewables (significantly improving energy security) the strategy underscores the EU’s commitment to a rules-based international order and to cooperation with global partners on mitigation, adaptation, and resilient value chains.
Carbon Pricing and Market Innovation at COP30
On carbon pricing and markets, the COP30 Presidency has launched the Open Coalition for Compliance Carbon Markets. The initiative aims to establish shared standards and foster links between different carbon-credit trading systems, helping to generate greater liquidity, predictability, and transparency across the sector. As highlighted by Brazil’s Secretary for Climate and Environment, Maurício Lyrio, the coalition is grounded in the recognition that compliance carbon markets are central to accelerating decarbonisation and advancing implementation of the Paris Agreement, while ensuring environmental integrity and a just transition.
This forum brings together countries and jurisdictions that are either already implementing carbon-pricing mechanisms or making tangible progress toward that goal, the coalition now includes Brazil, China, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, Chile, Germany, Mexico, Armenia, Zambia, France, Rwanda, Andorra, Guinea, New Zealand, Monaco, Singapore, and Norway. The EU is expected to play a leading role, continuing to promote carbon pricing as an effective tool for cutting global emissions.
The EU negotiating team will also work to finalize climate-adaptation indicators under the UAE–Belém Framework for Global Climate Resilience. These indicators span key sectors such as water, agriculture, infrastructure, health, ecosystems, livelihoods and cultural heritage, and are designed to help countries track and strengthen their preparedness.
Climate Finance: A Strategic Priority
Another important element at COP30 was climate finance. The “Baku to Belém Roadmap” to 1.3T, formally launched by the COP29 and COP30 Presidencies, sets out a pathway to mobilise at least US $1.3 trillion annually by 2035 for climate action in developing countries, drawing from public grants, concessional and non-debt-creating instruments, private finance and fiscal reforms. The Roadmap does not create new funding vehicles, but rather provides a “coherent reference framework” of initiatives, leverage points and best practices to scale existing flows.
As the world’s largest contributor of public climate finance, the EU provided €31.7 billion in public finance in 2024, plus €11 billion in mobilised private finance, and remains committed to scaling up support, especially for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Looking Ahead: A Global Climate Leader
The EU’s higher ambition has been welcomed, but concerns remain over its reliance on carbon credits and flexibility in the 2040 target. Still, the EU insists most reductions will come domestically and will push partners at COP30 for stronger targets, more finance, and clearer reporting.
The Road Ahead
The next steps will be crucial. Meeting the new goals will require fast, coordinated action across Member States and careful economic balancing. As COP30 nears, the EU aims to turn its renewed ambition into concrete results in the months ahead.