On October 15, European Union (EU) leaders agreed that they should move to increase their climate emissions reduction goal but have yet to commit to a specific target. Currently, the EU has pledged to achieve full carbon neutrality by 2050, with an interim goal of cutting emissions by 40% (compared to 1990 levels) by 2030. Though leaders agreed to increase their commitments, they did not endorse a proposal to raise the interim goal to 55% percent reduction (AP).

This decision comes in contrast to a recent vote held by the European Parliament. Last month, members of the European Parliament cemented their collective position that the EU should raise the 2030 interim goal to 60% reduction and make its 2050 carbon neutrality pledge a legally binding climate law. They additionally endorsed the need to launch an EU Climate Change Council as an independent body to monitor Member States’ progress (European Parliament Press, Euractiv). As a result, the European Parliament and EU Member States are predicted to negotiate and decide on a specific emissions target sometime in December. The EU intends to finalize their choice by the end of the year to keep in line with an upcoming deadline for countries to upgrade their commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement. For a concrete goal to become legally binding, it will require unanimous support from the EU Member States (Reuters).