The United Nations stepped up pressure on the European Union to submit its delayed climate plan in order to fill a diplomatic vacuum left by the US.
The EU must show “leadership” by putting forward its emissions-reduction plan, known as a Nationally Determined Contribution, said Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the UN’s climate body. It was due last month and must be submitted before the COP30 summit in Brazil in November.
Global geopolitical shifts are complicating the fight against climate change. The US’ withdrawal from the landmark Paris Agreement is likely to slash finance for developing countries, while its reluctance to support Europe on defence will squeeze EU budgets, potentially diverting resources from the green transition.
“This is Europe’s moment; I urge you seize it,” Stiell said in a speech in Berlin. “You have the technology, you have the resources; what is needed now is leadership.”
He highlighted Brazil and the UK as examples of countries laying out ambitious emissions-cutting goals. In a veiled reference to America’s retreat on climate, he said one nation stepping back was a chance for the EU to step up and grab the investment opportunities on offer. Otherwise there’s a risk the climate crisis could shave 2.3% off GDP by mid century, he said.
The holdup in the EU’s plan is partly explained by a delay to one key element of it. The European Commission, the bloc’s executive branch, had targeted the end of March to officially propose a 90% cut to emissions by 2040, but is now only saying it will come in the “near future.”
It’s not clear whether a majority of the EU’s 27 member states is behind such an ambitious target. Poland, which holds the bloc’s rotating presidency, had been pushing for a delay to the proposal until after the country’s presidential election, which is scheduled for May.
EU climate chief Wopke Hoekstra said Tuesday he was working on convincing sceptical nations.
“You need the vision and the strategy of where you want to go,” Hoekstra said ahead of the Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin. “I am confident that eventually we’ll be able to land this.”
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