The EU’s controversial 2040 climate emissions target will not be decided at this week’s Environment Council, as originally planned, EU officials said, with member states requesting more time to review the proposal. The Danish EU Presidency had aimed for a vote on 18 September, but discussions will now be deferred to an October summit of EU heads of state.

The European Commission proposed a 90% reduction in emissions by 2040 compared with 1990 levels, following the EU’s 2030 target of at least a 55% reduction. Some countries, including Slovakia and Hungary, have opposed the plan, citing risks to domestic industry, while France argued the decision should be made by EU leaders rather than ministers.