00:00A decision on the 2040 climate targets will be delayed, diplomats have said.
00:0827 environment ministers are set to meet in Brussels on Thursday,
00:12but according to EU officials, member states need more time to mull the issue.
00:17The European Commission is proposing a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions,
00:22but France is pushing for the decision to be taken in October by the heads of state and government.
00:28However, several experts warn for the consequences of delaying the decision.
00:33Certainly we see that for now France is in a camp with a lot of Eurosceptic governments,
00:38notably Hungary and Slovakia, that just use indeed the European Council and the unanimity to blackmail on their demands.
00:46And some of the demands might go beyond the climate debate even.
00:50It could then go into the rule of law, it could go into more money that they need,
00:55and then it becomes really a dangerous game.
00:58On paper, adoption by the 27 ministers should be straightforward, requiring only a qualified majority.
01:05Germany and the Netherlands backed the objective while France, Italy and several Central European countries remain more cautious.
01:12However, this is not just a political matter but also an industrial one,
01:17as companies urgently need a clear and predictable path forward.
01:21What we need to do is agree the direction and decide how we are going to get there.
01:26What are the right policies to do that?
01:28How can we really drive the acceleration and the scale-up of the technologies that we need?
01:32At this point, it shouldn't be a fight over the target.
01:35It should be a real discussion on what are the right enabling policies to unlock the investment that Europe needs.
01:41And fundamentally, this is a conversation about investment.
01:46The EU's credibility as a global leader in climate action is on the line.
01:50Any delay on European level would send a concerning signal to international partners ahead of COP30, set to take place in Brazil in November.
01:59I will see you all next time.
02:00All thanks for coming in.
02:01Good evening, everyone.
02:03Thanks for coming out.
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