Agenda of the EU Environment Council, 4 November 2025

European climate law

Following the policy debate held on 18 September and the political guidance set by the European Council on 23 October, EU environment ministers will seek to reach an agreement (‘general approach’) on a proposal to amend the European climate law to establish a binding intermediate climate target for 2040.

The proposal put forward by the European Commission introduces a target to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 90% by 2040, compared to 1990 levels. It also outlines key elements and conditions that the Commission must reflect in its legislative proposals for the post-2030 policy framework to enable member states to achieve the 2040 target.

Proposal to amend the European climate law 

European climate law 

Environment Council, 18 September 2025

European Council conclusions on competitiveness and twin transition (23 October 2025)

Climate Change: what is the EU doing (background information)

EU nationally determined contribution to the UNFCCC

Ministers will also seek to approve the EU’s post-2030 nationally determined contribution (NDC) to be submitted to the UNFCCC, the UN climate convention. On 18 September 2025, EU environment ministers approved a statement of intent, which confirmed the EU’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and indicated that the EU is expected to submit an NDC ahead of COP30 in Bélem, Brazil (10–21 November 2025).

NDCs are an integral part of the Paris Agreement, which requires each party to the convention to update their NDCs every five years. They set out the efforts made by each country to reduce national emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The EU submits a single NDC on behalf of the EU and its member states.

Paris Agreement: EU submits statement of intent to the UNFCCC on the post-2030 NDC (press release, 18 September 2025)

Paris Agreement on climate change (background information)

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) (UNFCCC website)