EU to boost climate goals at COP30

The European Union is setting out to reinforce its climate leadership as COP30 gets underway in Belém, Brazil. EU leaders say the aim is to accelerate the global clean transition while ensuring the shift remains fair and economically viable. The gathering marks a key moment ten years after countries agreed to the Paris Agreement.

For eeNews Europe readers, the discussion is closely tied to global renewable deployment, energy efficiency targets, carbon market development, and regulatory frameworks that will influence technology investments across the clean energy value chain.

At COP30, the EU plans to emphasize closing implementation gaps in climate policies while increasing pressure to triple global renewable energy capacity and double the pace of energy efficiency improvements by 2030. In addition, the EU is positioning itself as a reliable partner for developing economies and those most affected by climate change, particularly small island states and least-developed countries.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reiterated the EU’s messaging at the conference, saying: “At COP30 this week, we will underline our strong commitment to the Paris Agreement. The global clean transition is ongoing and irreversible. It is our priority to ensure that this transition is fair, inclusive and equitable. In Belém, we will listen to our global partners and discuss the key issues. To keep our shared goal in sight, we must recognise diverse national realities and work together to deliver.”

A major item will be clarifying next steps following the first Global Stocktake, as well as guidance on updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).  The EU’s new NDC targets a 66.25–72.5% reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 compared to 1990 levels—an interim milestone toward a 90% reduction by 2040 and climate neutrality by 2050.

Carbon markets and climate finance

The COP30 Presidency plans to launch the Open Coalition for Compliance Carbon Markets, which brings together countries that are developing or expanding carbon pricing schemes. Meanwhile, the EU is pushing to finalize indicators under the UAE–Belém Framework for Global Climate Resilience, helping countries measure progress on adaptation.

Climate finance remains a major point of negotiation. The “Baku to Belém Roadmap” seeks to scale climate finance for developing countries to at least $1.3 trillion annually by 2035. The EU states it remains the largest public contributor, providing €31.7 billion in public climate finance in 2024 and mobilizing an additional €11 billion in private investment.

Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth, Wopke Hoekstra, stressed urgency: “At COP30 we need an outcome on mitigation that puts the world firmly on track to meet the Paris Agreement goals, and on adaptation to strengthen global resilience to the impacts already here.”

EU officials are scheduled to participate in multiple high-level discussions on industry decarbonization, energy transition policy, and methane reduction efforts throughout the summit.

European Commission