EUROGROUP,COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Meetings Friday, 05 December 2025

● Eurogroup   05/12/2025 19:35 | Meetings | Agenda highlights - Eurogroup, 11 December 2025   The Eurogroup will discuss macroeconomic developments and exchange views with the International Monetary Fund on euro area policies. Additionally, ministers will discuss draft budgetary plans and prospects for the euro area, based on the European Commission’s opinions. Ministers will also select their new President for the next two and a half years.

EUROGROUP,COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Press material Wednesday, 19 November 2025

● Council of the EU   19/11/2025 02:37 | Press release | Council and Parliament agree on rules for a better management and increased use of Europe’s railway infrastructure   Council and Parliament negotiators reached today a provisional agreement to harmonise, simplify and rationalise the management of the available capacity for trains on the EU’s rail network, both within and across member states. This new approach will allow for more frequent and reliable passenger and freight rail services.

EUROGROUP,COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Press material Thursday, 13 November 2025

● Council of the EU   13/11/2025 15:45 | Press release | Customs: Council takes action to tackle the influx of small parcels   The Council today took action to tackle the influx of small parcels that are currently not liable for customs duties into the EU - a problem that leads to unfair competition for EU sellers and raises environmental concerns.

EUROGROUP,COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Meetings Friday, 07 November 2025

● Eurogroup   07/11/2025 17:45 | Meetings | Agenda highlights - Eurogroup, 12 November 2025   The Eurogroup will discuss the latest economic and fiscal developments, focusing on inflation and budgetary trends. They will also address the challenges faced by the euro area in a changing global context, including geopolitical and technological shifts, and outline priorities ahead of the 2026 euro area recommendations. Ministers are expected to agree on the Eurogroup’s role in strengthening fiscal policy coordination. They will also be updated on the digital euro project and discuss the way forward on stablecoins.   View meeting page

Meetings Friday, 07 November 2025     ● Eurogroup   07/11/2025 17:45 | Meetings | Agenda highlights - Eurogroup, 12 November 2025   The Eurogroup will discuss the latest economic and fiscal developments, focusing on inflation and budgetary trends. They will also address the challenges faced by the euro area in a changing global context, including geopolitical and technological shifts, and outline priorities ahead of the 2026 euro area recommendations. Ministers are expected to agree on the Eurogroup’s role in strengthening fiscal policy coordination. They will also be updated on the digital euro project and discuss the way forward on stablecoins.   ● General Secretariat of the Council   07/11/2025 16:51 | Press release | Forward look: 10 – 23 November 2025   Overview of the main topics and events at the Council of EU and European Council for the coming fortnight. Economic and Financial Affairs Council, 13 November 2025 EU finance ministers will be invited to agree on the revision of the energy taxation directive. The Council will also aim to reach political agreement on the elimination of the customs duty relief threshold for goods entering the EU. Read more Economic and Financial Affairs Council (Budget), 14 November 2025 The Council will meet to prepare the same-day’s meeting of the conciliation committee for the EU budget, with the aim of reaching an agreement with the European Parliament on the EU’s annual budget for 2026. Read more Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 17 November 2025 Agriculture and Fisheries Council ministers will hold a thematic discussion concerning the CAP post-2027, focusing on food security and targeting of support. There will also be discussions on trade-related agricultural issues, including closer relations between the EU and Ukraine. On the fisheries part, the ministers will exchange views on the Commission’s proposals for fishing opportunities in the Atlantic and North Sea, and then in the Mediterranean and the Black Seas. Read more General Affairs Council, 17 November 2025 Ministers for EU affairs will start preparations for the December European Council and hold a policy debate on the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034. The Council will also take stock of the state of play of the EU-UK relations. The Commission will present its work programme for 2026 and ministers will hold an exchange of views. In the context of the annual rule of law dialogue, the Council will hold country-specific discussions concerning Bulgaria, Czechia, Ireland and Germany. Over a working lunch, ministers will discuss the future of Europe. Read more Foreign Affairs Council, 20 November 2025 The Council will exchange views on the Russian aggression against Ukraine, after a short intervention of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha. They will then hold discussions on the situation in the Middle East, Sudan and the Sahel. Ministers will also be informed about current affairs. Read more Other meetings EU-CELAC summit, 9-10 November 2025 Eurogroup EU-Tajikistan Cooperation Council, 19 November 2025 EU-ASEAN ministerial meeting, 21 November 2025 G20 summit, South Africa, 22-23 November 2025   Indicative calendar of meetings under the Danish presidency (1 July - 31 December 2025) Danish presidency   Visit the website  Council of the EU   07/11/2025 16:04 | Press event | Press briefings - General Affairs, Economic and Financial Affairs, and Economic and Financial Affairs (Budget) Council meetings   The "off the record" press briefings ahead of the following Council meetings will take place on Tuesday, 11 November starting at 09.15 in this order: General Affairs Council of 17 November 2025 Economic and Financial Affairs Council of 13 November 2025 Economic and Financial Affairs Council (Budget) of 14 November 2025 These briefings will take place back-to-back in a hybrid format. EU accredited journalists will be able to participate and ask questions either remotely or in person at the Europa building press room. If you haven't registered for one of the previous press events of the General Affairs or Economic and Financial Affairs Council, please complete your registration via registration link below and have the possibility to ask questions remotely. Deadline for registration: Tuesday, 11 November at 08.15 Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants shortly after the deadline. Registration page Media accreditation for journalists   Visit the website  European Council   07/11/2025 00:18 | Speech | Discurso do presidente António Costa na sessão dedicada às florestas e oceanos da COP30   As Florestas e os Oceanos saudáveis são os nossos maiores aliados na proteção do clima. No entanto, o seu bem-estar está cada vez mais ameaçado pelas próprias consequências das alterações climáticas. A União Europeia está empenhada em proteger e restaurar as Florestas e os Oceanos, tanto na Europa como no resto do mundo. Comecemos pelo Oceano. O Pacto Europeu para os Oceanos espelha bem a nossa ambição para os oceanos e os mares saudáveis. Por colocar os Oceanos como causa maior da Europa. Por interligar a energia, a segurança marítima e alimentar. Por promover a pesca sustentável e uma economia azul competitiva, com especial atenção às comunidades costeiras e insulares. Mas esta não é uma questão que diga apenas respeito à Europa. A emergência dos Oceanos é global. Exige uma forte cooperação internacional e uma ordem baseada em regras. Porque o Oceano é, acima de tudo, um bem comum da humanidade. E uma causa comum da humanidade precisa que o multilateralismo prevaleça.  Que as Nações Unidas e os Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável sejam reforçados. Por isso a União Europeia estará sempre na linha da frente do multilateralismo climático. Combatendo a poluição de origem terrestre e protegendo todo o ciclo da água, através da sua Estratégia de Resiliência da Água. Protegendo a biodiversidade marinha em alto mar através do Tratado do Alto-Mar, cuja entrada em vigor, em 2026, saudamos. A União Europeia está plenamente empenhada na sua implementação e na promoção de uma ratificação mais ampla. Porque o Oceano é o coração azul do nosso planeta. Passemos às Florestas. A Europa é uma das regiões mais ricas em florestas do mundo. Precisamos de protegȇ-las e de torná-las mais resilientes. Da Califórnia à Europa, os incêndios florestais são uma ameaça dramática. Na Europa, ao longo de 2025, os incêndios florestais foram os mais graves da última década. Precisamos de aumentar a coordenação internacional, melhorar a preparação, a prevenção e respondermos mais rapidamente ao drama dos incêndios. A nossa ambição é clara: plantar pelo menos três mil milhões de árvores adicionais na Europa até 2030. Mas também sabemos que esta luta não termina nas nossas fronteiras. A desflorestação é um desafio global e exige solidariedade global. Saudamos por isso o lançamento do Fundo Floresta Tropical para Sempre. Uma parceria inovadora com financiamento público e privado para apoiar a conservação e a utilização sustentável das florestas tropicais. Porque as Florestas e os Oceanos não são apenas parte da natureza. São parte do nosso futuro. São a base viva da estabilidade climática e da sobrevivência humana. Atuemos pois juntos para os manter vivos e prósperos. Obrigado.   Eurogroup   06/11/2025 14:50 | Media advisory | Press briefing - Eurogroup meeting of 12 November 2025   The press briefing ahead of the Eurogroup meeting will take place on Monday, 10 November at 14.00. The briefing will be "off the record" and will be given by Tuomas Saarenheimo, President of the Eurogroup Working Group. The press briefing will take place in a hybrid format: EU accredited journalists will be able to participate and ask questions either remotely or in person at the Europa building main press room. If you haven't registered for one of the previous Eurogroup press events, please use the link below to do so and have the possibility to ask questions remotely. Deadline for registration: Monday, 10 November at 13.00 Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants shortly after the deadline. Registration page Media accreditation for journalists   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   05/11/2025 23:55 | Press release | EU investments in defence: Council and Parliament agree to support faster, more flexible and coordinated investments in European defence   The Council and the European Parliament negotiators reached a provisional agreement on measures to incentivise defence-related investments in the current EU budget to implement the so-called ReArm Europe plan, an EU initiative to increase defence spending and strengthen the EU’s military capabilities. The agreement includes a landmark decision to associate Ukraine to the European Defence Fund, underscoring the EU’s enduring commitment to Ukraine’s security, resilience, and gradual integration into the European defence industrial base. “The agreement reached today on incentivising defence-related investments in the current EU budget is an important milestone in implementing the ReArm Europe plan and in the EU’s progress towards increasing our defence readiness by 2030. We need to maximise our investments in defence and dual-use technologies to prepare for the future – together in Europe and with Ukraine.” — Troels Lund Poulsen, Minister for Defence of Denmark “Today’s agreement sends a strong message: Europe is determined to invest in its security and remove all hurdles in this direction. By opening key EU-programmes to defence-related investments, we are enhancing our efforts in strengthening Europe’s Defence Industrial and Technological Base. It is a necessary step towards a stronger, more resilient, and more capable Europe that is able to defend itself by 2030.” — Marie Bjerre, Minister for European Affairs of Denmark The provisional agreement reached today broadly maintains the general thrust of the Commission proposal, which aims to facilitate faster, more flexible and coordinated investments in the European defence technological and industrial base (EDTIB) by amending five EU regulations: the Digital Europe Programme the European Defence Fund the Connecting Europe Facility the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), and Horizon Europe The co-legislators agreed to extend EU financial support within Horizon Europe to dual-use and defence-related companies, while largely maintaining the eligibility rules already present in EU instruments such as SAFE (‘Security Action for Europe Instrument’) and EDIP ('European Defence Programme’). In addition, co-legislators agreed to associate Ukraine to the European Defence Fund, thus creating new possibilities for Ukrainian entities to join in EU collaborative defence research and development activities in the future. Next steps The agreement reached today will have to be confirmed by both institutions before being formally adopted. Background The so-called ‘mini-Omnibus for defence’ is a package of legal changes proposed by the European Commission in April 2025 to make it easier for existing EU funds - normally meant for supporting regional development, innovation, industrial support, etc. - to be used also for strengthening the EU’s defence industry. This initiative is complemented by the so-called defence readiness omnibus package presented in June 2025 by the Commission which is currently being examined by the Council. Both proposals aim to incentivise defence-related investments and improve Europe’s defence readiness, as requested by the European Council in March 2025. Defence: Council agrees position to incentivise defence-related investments in the EU budget (press release, 8 October 2025) Regulation as regards incentivising defence-related investments in the EU budget to implement the ReArm Europe Plan, Council mandate, 8 October 2025 Boosting European defence expenditure (background information) ReArm Europe plan (Commission background information)   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   05/11/2025 23:15 | Press release | Passenger and freight transport: provisional agreement boosts transparency and comparability of data on greenhouse gas emissions   A provisional agreement reached today by the Council and the European Parliament on the CountEmissionsEU proposal will ensure better comparability of data on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of passenger and freight transport, by setting out a single method for calculating these emissions. “Thanks to this agreement, citizens and businesses will have a clearer view on the greenhouse gas emissions emitted by the transport services they use. This will also benefit transport operators, as they now will be able to account for their emissions based on this single, globally harmonised standard.” — Thomas Danielsen, Minister for Transport of Denmark Today, many transport services measure their GHG emissions, but they are often requested to use different methods. Therefore, the accounting of GHG emissions can be a complex task for transport operators. For consumers, it can be hard to know which service is truly greener. The agreement reached today introduces a common method for calculating greenhouse gas emissions, based on a global standard, both for freight and passenger transport services. The reference methodology used will be EN ISO standard 14083:2023. This ISO standard sets global common rules and emission calculation principles for transport operations based on the well-to-wheel principle. This principle considers all GHG emissions generated during the entire process of fuel production, from extraction to its use by the transport service. Publishing information on GHG emissions by freight and passenger transport services will remain voluntary, but if a company decides or is asked to calculate and disclose information on its GHG emissions, it will need to use the methodology provided. To avoid unnecessary administrative burden, the agreed single framework will be easy for transport operators to use. To that end, data on GHG emissions that has already been approved for use under other existing EU legislation, can also be reused under CountEmissionsEU. Finally, special attention has also been paid to SMEs with measures aimed at supporting and facilitating their implementation of the regulation. The Commission will be tasked to develop a calculation tool, particularly designed to support SMEs, that can be used free of charge, and which will be accompanied by a manual. Next steps This provisional agreement will now need to be endorsed by the member states’ representatives within the Council (Coreper) and by the European Parliament. It will then be formally adopted by both institutions following legal-linguistic revision. Background Freight transport is essential to the EU’s single market, as it allows goods needed in daily life to be transported. Therefore, it fuels the EU’s economy by supporting both trade and supply chains, creating millions of jobs. Freight transport has however a big impact on the EU’s overall CO2 emissions, as around 30% of all transport emissions stems from freight transport. The green freight package, proposed in July 2023, aims at reducing this environmental footprint. One of the proposals of the package is CountEmissionsEU, which aims at providing a common method for calculating greenhouse gas emissions from both passenger and freight transport services. Other proposals include a directive on the weights and dimensions for heavy duty vehicles (HDVs) and a regulation on a more efficient use of railway capacity. On December 4th 2023, the Council agreed on its common position on CountEmissionsEU, followed by the European Parliament one year later. In July 2025, co-legislators started negotiations, with today’s provisional agreement as its outcome. Green freight package: Council adopts its position on the accounting of greenhouse gas emissions of transport services (press release, 4 December 2023) Regulation on the accounting of greenhouse gas emissions of transport services, Council’s general approach, 4 December 2023 Regulation on the accounting of greenhouse gas emissions of transport services, Commission’s proposal, 12 July 2023 Climate change: what the EU is doing (background information) ISO standard 14083:2023   Visit the website

● Council of the EU

05/11/2025 16:48 | Press release | Council agrees position to simplify requirements for chemical products   Today, the Council set its position on the remaining part of the so-called “Omnibus VI” package, a proposal to simplify rules in the field of chemical products, while maintaining a high level of protection for consumers and the environment.  The draft legislation simplifies certain provisions related to the classification, packaging, and labelling of chemicals, cosmetics products and fertilising products. “The chemical industry is key for innovation, jobs and sustainable growth in Europe. Today, we took a first step towards reducing administrative burdens and increasing resilience for the industry, while protecting consumers and the environment. I hope for a swift agreement with the Parliament to bring legal certainty to businesses and boost the sector’s competitiveness.” — Marie Bjerre, Minister for European affairs of Denmark “With today’s negotiating mandate, we are ensuring that consumers remain protected while simplifying the rules for businesses. Strong consumer protection is at the heart of responsible regulation, and Denmark will continue to work for high standards in the upcoming negotiations on simplifying EU regulation. Simplification must never come at the expense of consumers’ health.” — Magnus Heunicke, Minister for environment and gender equality of Denmark The Council’s mandate follows the agreement between the co-legislators on the ‘stop-the-clock’ mechanism which postpones to 1 January 2028 the date of entry into application of the revised regulation on classification, labelling and packaging of chemicals (CLP regulation). The current targeted proposal modifies three pieces of EU’s chemical legislation: the CLP regulation, which was revised in 2024 the 2009 cosmetic products regulation, and the 2019 fertilising products regulation In view of its significant implications for suppliers and European companies, the Council has treated this proposal with utmost priority aiming to provide the EU companies the necessary legal certainty on their obligations. Key elements of the Council’s mandate The Council maintained the general scope of the Commission proposal when it comes to simplifying the formatting requirements for labels, advertisements and distance sales of chemicals. The Council’s mandate retains the "digital by default" approach as a common element of simplification.  The Council consistently focused on removing duplication of requirements and streamlining the timelines. The text of the Council’s mandate is more protective to consumers concerning the use of nanomaterials and potential hazardous substances in cosmetic products. On fertiliser products, it requires registration of micro-organisms used in fertilising products for up to 10 tonnes annual quantities. CLP regulation  In the Council’s mandate, the text aligns the definition of ‘digital contacts’ with the Council mandate on the proposals in the ‘Omnibus IV’ package on digitalisation and common specifications. The mandate, however, reintroduces the requirement for a telephone number but allows for digital options to provide flexibility for suppliers. The text of the Council’s mandate clarifies and simplifies the requirement of readability of labels, while ensuring appropriate font size relative to the size of the label. The mandate also seeks to reduce the information requirements for advertisements, particularly for professional users. On distance sales offers, the mandate maintains the general labelling exemption for business-to-business sales, except for online sales, where the exemption only applies if the website or mobile application is not accessible to the general public. Cosmetic products regulation The time given to companies to stop selling cosmetics with Carcinogenic, Mutagenic, and Reprotoxic (CMR) substances has been shortened from the original Commission proposal but is still longer than the deadlines in the current rules. The Commission proposal on the exemption of CMR substances based on oral or inhalation route of exposure is deleted in the Council’s mandate. Finally, in response to the member states’ concerns regarding the protection of human health and the environment, the mandate re-introduces a notification for nanomaterials in cosmetic products, which shall be made prior to the cosmetic product being placed on the market, and not six months prior as today. Fertilising products regulation To address the member states’ concerns on potential environmental risks from new micro-organisms, the mandate further clarifies the role of accredited notified bodies. For assessing criteria and methodologies, the inclusion of scientific bodies, either the Joint Research Centre (JRC) or the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), has been added. The mandate also re-introduces a REACH registration obligation for substances subject to harmonised classification for certain particularly harmful substances. Finally, on digitalisation, the text seeks to align the definition with the Council’s mandate for the ‘Omnibus IV’ package. Next steps Following today’s approval by the member states’ representatives, the presidency can start negotiation with the European Parliament to reach a final agreement. Background In October 2024, the European Council called on all EU institutions, member states and stakeholders, as a matter of priority, to take work forward, notably in response to the challenges identified in the reports by Enrico Letta (‘Much more than a market’) and Mario Draghi (‘The future of European competitiveness’). The Budapest declaration of 8 November 2024 subsequently called for ‘launching a simplification revolution’, by ensuring a clear, simple and smart regulatory framework for businesses and drastically reducing administrative, regulatory and reporting burdens, in particular for SMEs. Between 26 February and 9 July 2025, as a follow-up to EU leaders’ call, the Commission put forward six ‘Omnibus’ packages, aiming to simplify existing legislation on sustainability, investment, agriculture, small and mid-caps, digitalisation and common specifications, defence readiness and chemical products. Regulation amending regulations as regards simplification of certain requirements on chemical products, Commission proposal, 9 July 2025 Simplification: Council approves ‘stop-the-clock’ mechanism on chemicals to provide legal certainty to businesses (press release, 24 September 2025) Regulation amending regulation (EU) 2024/2865 as regards dates of application and transitional provisions, Commission proposal, 9 July 2025 Simplification of EU rules (background information) Chemicals (background information)   Visit the website

● Council of the EU

05/11/2025 14:19 | Meetings | Main results - Environment Council, 4 November 2025   Ministers reached an agreement on the amendment to the European climate law, which establishes an intermediate net emissions reduction target of 90% for 2040. At the same meeting, environment ministers approved the EU's post-2030 nationally determined contribution (NDC), with an indicative 2035 target of 66,25-72,5% emissions reduction.   View meeting page   05/11/2025 14:10 | Press release | 2040 climate target: Council agrees its position on a 90% emissions reduction   Today, the Council has reached an agreement on amending the European climate law (ECL), introducing a binding intermediate climate target for 2040 of a 90% reduction in net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, compared to 1990 levels. This new target is a crucial step towards the EU’s long-term goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. The amendment also sets out some areas of flexibility and key elements for the 2040 target and for the post-2030 climate framework. These will steer the Commission’s future legislative proposals to enable member states to hit the 2040 target while supporting European industry and citizens throughout the transition. “Today, we have adopted a 90 percent climate target for 2040 with broad support from the member states. The target is rooted in science and at the same time, it combines our competitiveness and security. This is important for the future of Europe – and it shows that even in challenging times, we can stand united. The target sets a clear direction years ahead for our policies, industries and investments. With this in hand, we are ready to build a stronger, more competitive and secure EU.” — Lars Aagaard, Denmark’s minister for climate, energy and utilities The text agreed today sets out the Council’s position for the upcoming negotiations (‘trilogues’) with the European Parliament that will shape the final text of the legislation. Main changes agreed by the Council The Council has maintained the binding 90% reduction of net GHG emissions by 2040 proposed by the Commission. However, it has made some adjustments to reflect concerns about the EU’s competitiveness, the need for a just and socially balanced transition, uncertainty related to natural removals and the diverse national circumstances across member states. These changes were also informed by the strategic guidance provided by EU leaders in the European Council conclusions adopted on 23 October 2025. Scope for flexibility for the member states The Commission’s proposal included three flexibility options, to be appropriately reflected in future Commission legislative proposals for achieving the 2040 target. The Council further clarified these areas of flexibility, which include: the possibility to use high-quality international carbon credits to make an ‘adequate contribution’ towards the 2040 target, quantified as up to 5% of 1990 EU net emissions, from 2036 onwards, including a pilot period for the period 2031-2035 a role for domestic permanent carbon removals under the EU emissions trading system (ETS) to compensate for residual hard-to-abate emissions enhanced flexibility within and across sectors and instruments to support the attainment of targets in simple and cost-effective ways, allowing member states to address shortfalls in one sector without compromising overall progress Elements for the post-2030 framework The amendment to the European climate law proposed by the Commission also establishes a series of principles and conditions that the must be taken into account in developing the post-2030 policy framework to enable member states to achieve the 2040 target and to ensure a fair, cost-effective and socially balanced transition that drives investment. While the Council’s position maintains many of the elements included in the Commission’s proposal, it further develops them, including by: placing a greater focus on strengthening the competitiveness of the EU’s economy and industry, as well as on simplification and reduction of administrative burden clearly emphasising the need for a just transition and taking into account different national circumstances fostering innovation and the deployment of safe, scalable technologies across all sectors in a technologically neutral manner, while ensuring that energy efficiency remains a central principle enhancing support for energy security, focusing on renewable energy solutions, energy affordability and grid modernisation to secure the EU’s energy supply supporting investment and innovation, through both public and private sector funding and ensuring access to innovative technologies across member states addressing the realistic contribution of carbon removals to overall emission reductions, while accounting for the uncertainty associated with them focusing on the long-term protection and enhancement of natural carbon sinks and biodiversity, addressing the impacts of climate change and natural disturbances on land use and forestry Review of the target The Council’s position also introduces a biennial assessment to track progress towards intermediate targets based on the latest scientific evidence, technological advances and the EU’s global competitiveness. Member states further elaborated and strengthened the review clause of the existing European climate law. Among other things, the review will cover the status of net removals at EU level in relation to what would be required to achieve the 2040 target and the evolving challenges to – and opportunities to improve – EU industries’ global competitiveness. The review will also take into account the evolution of energy prices and their impact on industries and households. Based on the findings of the review and where appropriate, the Commission will have to propose a revision of the climate law. This may include adjusting the 2040 target or other additional measures to strengthen the enabling framework, namely to secure the EU’s competitiveness, prosperity and social cohesion. ETS2 postponement The Council also introduced a provision to postpone the entry into application of the EU emissions trading system for buildings and road transport (ETS2) by one year, from 2027 to 2028. Next steps The Council presidency will start negotiations with the European Parliament once the latter adopts its position, with a view to agreeing on the final text of the amendment. Background First adopted in 2021, the European climate law provides the legal foundation for the EU’s long-term climate policies, in line with the Paris Agreement. It sets a binding economy-wide climate neutrality target by 2050 and a 2030 objective of reducing net emissions by at least 55%. It also provides for the establishment of an intermediate climate target for 2040. After publishing the communication 'Europe's 2040 climate target' in February 2024, the European Commission put forward a proposal on 2 July 2025 to amend the European climate law to set a 2040 target. More recently, in October 2025 the European Council provided strategic guidance on the way forward to establish a target for 2040. In particular, leaders emphasised the need for a balanced approach that would preserve and boost the EU’s competitiveness, while ensuring the social fairness of the transition. They also emphasised the need to take into account the uncertainties of natural removals. The European Council additionally called on the Commission to further develop the necessary enabling conditions to support European industry and citizens in achieving the 2040 target. Proposal to amend the European climate law (European Commission) European Council conclusions on competitiveness and the twin transition (23 October 2025) European climate law Climate change: what the EU is doing (background information)   Visit the website   05/11/2025 13:17 | Press release | Paris Agreement: the EU submits its updated NDC with an indicative target for 2035 to the UN ahead of COP30   The Council today approved an updated nationally determined contribution (NDC) of the EU and its member states, which will be submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) ahead of COP30 (10-21 November 2025). Following the 2020 NDC and its 2023 update, today's NDC covers the period up to 2035. The NDC agreed today reiterates the EU's goal of achieving a net reduction of 55% in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 and acknowledges the agreement reached within the Council on a net emissions reduction target of 90% by 2040, compared to 1990. Based on this target, the NDC introduces an indicative contribution of 66.25% to 72.5% for 2035 on the path towards carbon neutrality by 2050. The updated NDC builds on previous commitments, aiming to accelerate the transition to a decarbonised economy and industry, and outlines the EU's ongoing efforts to achieve climate neutrality in line with the objectives of the Paris Agreement. “With the adoption of EU’s NDC, we are sending a strong signal ahead of COP30 that we remain fully committed to keeping the goals of the Paris Agreement. It enables us to push for more global climate action, when we meet the rest of the world at COP30.” — Lars Aagaard, Denmark's minister for climate, energy and utilities Main elements of the EU's 2035 NDC In the updated NDC, the EU outlines its ambitious climate targets and the policy frameworks that is implementing in order to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. It recalls the agreement reached within the Council on a 2040 climate target of 90%, including an adequate contribution of high-quality international credits in a manner that is both ambitious and cost-efficient. The NDC also highlights the EU's continued progress in its climate action towards decarbonising its economy and its contribution to the global efforts agreed in the outcome of the first global stocktake (GST) at COP28 in Dubai. These include the commitment to tripling renewable energy capacity globally and doubling the rate of global energy efficiency by 2030. The updated NDC underlines the EU's efforts in this regard, which resulted in renewable energy sources making up 44% of the EU's electricity production in 2023, with that figure increasing to 47% in the estimates for 2024. In addition, the new NDC emphasises the EU's accelerating efforts towards making the energy sector predominantly free of fossil fuels well ahead of 2050, while recognising the importance of phasing out unabated fossil fuels at global level. To that end, the EU acknowledges the need to use all the available technologies to reduce emissions from hard-to-abate sectors. The updated NDC also includes the information necessary for clarity, transparency and understanding (ICTU), outlining all the elements of the NDC. Next steps The updated NDC will be submitted to the UNFCCC Secretariat and will feed into an updated NDC synthesis report, building on the first version issued by the Secretariat on 28 October. The report will provide an overview of global emission reduction commitments and gaps in relation to the Paris Agreement goals. Background Nationally determined contributions (NDCs) are an integral part of the Paris Agreement, which requires all parties to communicate their post-2020 climate actions starting in 2020 and every five years thereafter. NDCs set out each party's efforts to reduce national emissions and adapt to the impact of climate change. The EU submits a single NDC on behalf of the EU and its member states. On that basis, the EU and its member states submitted their first NDC in 2015 as an intended NDC, and an updated and enhanced NDC on 17 December 2020. Following the adoption of the Fit for 55 legislative package, in October 2023, the EU submitted a further update reflecting its target of at least 55% of net greenhouse gas emissions reductions by 2030. On 18 September 2025, EU environment ministers approved a statement of intent confirming the EU's commitment to the Paris Agreement and indicating that the EU would submit its post-2030 NDC ahead of COP30 in Belém, Brazil (10–21 November 2025). EU’s nationally determined contribution (NDC) for 2035 Paris Agreement: EU submits statement of intent to the UNFCCC on the post-2030 NDC (press release, 18 September 2025) COP30: Council sets EU position for the climate conference in Belém (press release, 21 October 2025) Paris Agreement on climate change (background information) Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) (UNFCCC website)   Visit the website