In a significant development, European Union climate ministers are poised to confirm on Thursday that the bloc will fail to meet a global deadline for setting new emissions reduction targets. This delay stems from internal disagreements among EU governments, casting a shadow over the EU’s leadership in global climate action. The missed deadline could undermine the bloc’s credibility as it prepares to join other major powers at the United Nations General Assembly next week, where updated climate plans are expected to be presented ahead of the COP30 climate talks in November. While major emitters like China are anticipated to meet the deadline, and Australia has already announced its target, the EU’s internal discord highlights the challenges of aligning ambitious climate goals with economic and geopolitical realities. EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra defended the bloc’s efforts, stating, “If you zoom out, you can find that we continue to be amongst the absolutely most ambitious on the global stage.” However, the EU’s inability to agree on new targets for 2035 and 2040 has sparked criticism. Germany, France, and Poland have called for further discussions on the 2040 goal at an October summit, delaying progress on both targets. As a temporary measure, EU ministers will attempt to draft a “statement of intent” outlining their climate ambitions. A draft of this statement, previously reported by Reuters, suggests the EU aims to reduce emissions by 66.3% to 72.5% by 2035. Despite the setback, the bloc remains committed to finalizing its 2035 target before COP30. Finnish Climate Minister Sari Multala emphasized, “It is hard for us to require the others, our international partners, to do the same if we don’t deliver ourselves.” The EU’s traditional role as a climate leader is under strain due to rising concerns over the costs of climate measures and competing priorities such as defense and industrial spending. Divisions among member states are further exacerbated by differing views on the European Commission’s proposal to cut net greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040. While countries like Spain and Denmark advocate for stronger climate action, citing extreme weather events and energy security, others like the Czech Republic and Italy oppose the ambitious targets, citing potential harm to industries. This internal conflict underscores the complexities of balancing environmental goals with economic and political pressures in a rapidly changing world.