EC: decision on climate targets postponed, conclusions adopted on simplification and green transition

Ukraine, European defence, recent developments in the Middle East, competitiveness, housing, and migration; these were the topics on the agenda of the European Council on 23/10/2025 in Brussels. The only climate-related mentions on the official agenda of the Summit were "strands related to competitiveness: progress on the simplification of legislative proposals, ways to reach the EU’s climate objectives while supporting industries and citizens on the path to climate neutrality in 2050, and ways to attain digital sovereignty in line with EU values, while protecting digital infrastructure and harnessing future technologies."

There was no mention of any decision on the climate targets for 2040 or a decision on NDCs.
A source from one of the national representations told News Tank on 23/10/2025 not to expect a decision on the climate targets for 2035 and 2040 before the next Envi Council, on 04/11/2025, six days before the opening of the COP30 in Bélem (Brazil).
This source confirmed that some countries pushed for ambitious targets, but group pressure was strong, making it difficult to…