A decision on the European Union’s proposed 2040 climate emissions target has been delayed, with ministers now set to discuss it at an October summit instead of next week, EU officials said.
The Danish EU Presidency had planned for environment ministers to vote on 18 September, but member states indicated they were not ready to take a position on the controversial 2040 target.
The European Commission had proposed cutting CO2 emissions by 90% by 2040 compared to 1990 levels, as an intermediary step toward EU climate neutrality by 2050. The 2040 target is intended to follow the EU’s 2030 goal of at least a 55% reduction in emissions.
EU officials were told that countries need more time to balance environmental ambitions with competitiveness and economic realities. One diplomat said the October summit aims to have a “decisive” discussion while avoiding a unanimity vote that could give disproportionate weight to the most hesitant member states.
The 2040 target will also influence national climate action plans under the Paris Agreement, which are expected to be presented at COP30 in Belém, Brazil in November (10 - 21 November).
Some countries have already voiced opposition. Slovakia and Hungary argue that a 90% emissions cut by 2040 could severely damage their industries. Slovakia’s Environment Minister Tomas Taraba criticised the proposal, calling it disconnected from economic realities. France has suggested that the decision should be taken by EU heads of state rather than ministers.
EU officials cautioned that while the October summit is expected to address the issue, no final decision is guaranteed.
Armenian authorities arrested six candidates from the pro-Russian Strong Armenia bloc on Saturday, one day before voters were due to take part in parl...
Ukrainian drone strikes reportedly hit an oil depot in Ust-Labinsk and a military site near St. Petersburg, causing a fire but no casualties, accordin...
In a workshop surrounded by the wreckage of war, workers in Gaza are giving a second life to small leisure boats once used for family outings and swim...
Five Azerbaijani crew members were killed, and three others were injured after two cargo vessels were hit in a drone attack in the Sea of Azov, Azerba...
The United States has approved the possible sale of five Seahawk maritime helicopters to New Zealand in a deal valued at $1.5 billion, as Wellington m...
As Armenia approaches parliamentary elections, Russia appears to be increasing political and economic pressure on Yerevan, signalling that closer integration with the EU could lead to significant changes in labour, transport and energy arrangements between the two countries.
Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova praised Georgia for resisting Western pressure (30 May), defending its national interests and pursuing a "multi-vector foreign policy" - language that closely mirrors the rhetoric of the ruling Georgian Dream party.
A growing majority of Europeans believe the European Union should pursue a more independent foreign policy and reduce its reliance on the U.S., according to a new survey published on Friday.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 28 May, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Five Azerbaijani crew members were killed, and three others were injured after two cargo vessels were hit in a drone attack in the Sea of Azov, Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry said on Friday, as Russia blamed Ukraine for the strike.
More than 6,000 people gathered outside a vote-counting centre in Seoul on Friday night, demanding this week’s local elections be repeated after ballot shortages left some voters unable to cast their ballots.
The new AnewZ documentary, TARGET: Yerevan, builds its explosive case on exclusive, secret recordings originally published by Minval Politika.
Azerbaijan has strongly rejected allegations published by CNN claiming that its territory was used for Israeli military and intelligence operations against Iran, describing the report as entirely baseless and demanding a retraction.
Armenia will hold parliamentary elections on 7 June 2026, a vote that will shape the country’s political direction for the next five years. Understanding how the electoral system converts votes into parliamentary power is key to following the outcome and its wider regional implications.
Wildlife researchers have identified dozens of previously unknown insect species during an expedition to Angola’s remote Lisima Plateau, a conservation group announced on Wednesday.
Global weather forecasters predict a strong El Niño will develop in the second half of 2026, bringing hotter, drier conditions to much of Asia while increasing rainfall in parts of North and South America.
Google has asked U.S. regulators for permission to release up to 32 million sterilised mosquitoes in California and Florida as part of its experimental “Debug” programme aimed at reducing populations of disease-carrying insects.
Thai investigators seized more than 100 protected wildlife remains after raiding a souvenir and traditional medicine shop accused of selling wildlife carcasses online.
As climate pressures and urbanisation accelerate worldwide, governments are increasingly investing in smart cities and villages to build more sustainable and resilient communities. Across the world, digital technologies are reshaping how cities and rural areas are planned and managed.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment