COP 30: EU to deliver a Statement of intent instead of mandatory NDC before second deadline

Climate and Environment Ministers agreed to issue a Statement of intent to the UNFCCC instead of the mandatory NDC (Nationally Determined Contribution) required at the end of September 2025, at the Environment Council in Brussels on 18/09/2025.

Their decision follows the postponement of the amendment to the ECL (European Climate Law) from this ENVI Council to the next EUCO meeting in October 2025, where the heads of States will decide on the 90% GHG reduction target by 2040 compared to the 1990 levels and the flexibilities allowed, like the international carbon credits under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

The EU agreed that the NDC to submit to COP30 must derive from the 2040 climate target, but in order not to come "empty-handed" at COP30, the Danish Presidency of the Council proposed a range to reach at the EU level in 2035, as a basis for the NDC submission. This range proposes a 66.25% to 72.5% reduction of GHG by 2035 compared to 1990 levels, and was agreed upon at the end of the Environment Council on 18/09/2025.

"This range is based on the indicative linear trajectory from…