Austria will delay decision on EU climate target 2040
Brussels – Austria, together with France, Germany, and other EU countries, wants to postpone the decision on the European climate target for 2040. Instead of voting as planned at the next meeting of EU environment ministers on September 18 in Brussels, the decision is to be made at the EU summit at the end of October, as confirmed to APA on Friday from Council circles. Since the principle of unanimity applies there, just one country could block the EU climate targets.
“The fight against climate change has many facets. The question for us in Europe is how we can manage to combine ambitious climate goals with our pursuit of a strong and competitive location,” said the Federal Chancellery to APA. Therefore, it should not be surprising that numerous member states, including Austria, would advocate for a discussion among heads of state and government. It is “not just an isolated climate or environmental policy decision.”
“Internal Austrian position finding not yet completed”
The internal Austrian position finding has not yet been completed, it was emphasized in the Chancellery – although the SPÖ and NEOS have already positioned themselves and are insisting on a reduction of emissions by at least 90 percent. “The federal government has committed itself in its government program to the goal of climate neutrality for Austria by 2040. It is therefore only consistent to also advocate for a reduction of emissions of at least 90 percent at the EU level,” said the SPÖ to “Standard” (online). The Pink Party also expressed similar views: “We Neos support the Commission’s proposal to reduce the EU’s net greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent by 2040 compared to 1990 levels.”
The involvement of the European Council is a decision of the heads of government; the coalition partners have been informed about it, according to the Federal Chancellery. According to the agenda, the environment ministers should vote with a majority decision at their upcoming meeting; a positive outcome was to be expected. The requested postponement to the level of heads of state and government at the meeting of EU ambassadors on Wednesday means a decision by unanimity.
The EU Commission wants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union by 90 percent by 2040 compared to 1990, according to its proposal submitted in early July. Additionally, more flexibility has been promised. The targets for before and after have already been set: By 2030, the EU aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 percent compared to 1990, and to become climate-neutral by 2050. The next deadline is September 24: By then, the EU must submit its new climate target for 2035 to the United Nations according to the Paris Climate Agreement. This is also the major topic at the upcoming UN Climate Summit COP30 in November in Brazil.
Criticism from the Greens and GLOBAL 2000
“We have no time to lose – and yet this federal government is doing everything to delay the decision for an EU climate target. Just before the World Climate Conference, the consequences of this backward policy are fatal. The EU has been a pioneer in climate protection so far,” criticized Green Club Chair Leonore Gewessler in a statement. “At every summit, we see how the Putin friend (Hungarian Prime Minister, note) Viktor Orbán blocks everything. Anyone who believes that a climate target can be decided with Viktor Orbán is either blinded or is deliberately trying to torpedo the EU climate target,” said Lena Schilling, shadow reporter for the Greens in the European Parliament for the EU climate target.
“We have no understanding for further delays. Time is pressing, we need a swift decision on the EU climate targets by 2040. Chancellor (Christian) Stocker and Environment Minister (Norbert) Totschnig (both ÖVP, note) must not allow climate change deniers like Orbán and (Slovak Prime Minister Robert, note) Fico to destroy the vital climate law. Europe is severely affected by the climate crisis, so we need a positive decision on September 18,” demanded GLOBAL 2000 climate spokesperson Johannes Wahlmüller. (05.09.2025)
