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Last-minute agreement in the EU on climate, more flexibility

by AI | 06.Nov 2025 | Europe in brief AI

It is a long negotiating marathon, lasting over 24 hours, that led the twenty-seven EU countries to an agreement to cut emissions by 90% by 2040, as an intermediate step towards climate neutrality by mid-century. To convince the capitals with more reservations, including Rome, the agreement allows for flexibility and concessions to make the trajectory less rigid.

A divided EU risks settling for presenting a declaration of intent to the UN before the climate summit. Photo: Tamino Petelinšek/STA

Brussels (ANSA) – Before 2050 and after 2030. It is a long negotiating marathon, lasting over 24 hours, that has led the twenty-seven EU countries to an agreement to cut emissions by 90% by 2040, as an intermediate step towards climate neutrality by mid-century. To convince the capitals with more reservations, including Rome, the agreement allows for flexibility and concessions to make the trajectory less rigid.

“It is a good compromise that has taken into account the requests put forward by Italy,” claimed the Minister of the Environment, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, as he left the meeting in Brussels, after ensuring a role for biofuels in the decarbonization of transport in the agreement. The agreement maintains the 90% target, as proposed in July by the EU Commission.

But it admits to covering up to 5% of the target through ‘high-quality’ international carbon credits, compared to the 3% of the proposal from Palazzo Berlaymont. In practice, this reduces the target to be achieved within the EU to 85%. The credits, generated by CO2 absorption projects outside the EU, will be allowed from 2036, with a pilot phase between 2031 and 2035.

Timing and funding methods will be defined by the European Commission with a specific proposal promised by the responsible commissioner Wopke Hoekstra. Following the requests of the leaders, through a strengthened review clause, the EU will be able to review the entire climate legislation, including an adjustment of the 2040 target.

And every five years, at Italy’s request, it will assess the use of an additional 5% of international credits to cover national emission reduction efforts in transport, construction, agriculture, waste, and land use. A milestone achievement that Brussels greets with enthusiasm because it comes just hours before the start of Cop30 in Belém on climate, where it narrowly avoided presenting itself empty-handed.

“The agreement is a milestone in our journey towards neutrality,” claimed Ursula von der Leyen as she just landed in Brazil, where she will meet world leaders tomorrow for the start of the thirtieth United Nations climate conference (November 5).