The European Union’s hesitant approach to climate action ahead of the upcoming COP30 climate conference in Belém, Brazil, is undermining international trust and jeopardizing potential breakthroughs, according to Green Party MEP Michael Bloss. Bloss argues the EU’s recent actions, particularly the last-minute compromises on climate targets, are sending a damaging message to other nations at a time when European leadership is more crucial than ever.
“The behavior of Europeans isn’s fostering confidence in this conference” Bloss told Watson news portal. “With countries like the United States frequently withdrawing from international agreements, Europe must be the driving force. Then figures like Friedrich Merz act as a disruptive element, damaging the necessary collaborative spirit.
The delay in finalizing and presenting robust climate targets has reportedly impacted the submission of national goals from various countries, hindering the possibility of achieving a significant advancement beyond the Paris Agreement. Originally, ambitions were high for a landmark achievement this year; now, simply preventing the conference from fracturing would be considered a victory, according to Bloss.
He expressed particular concern about the EU’s reliance on carbon offsetting certificates to meet its climate goals, outlining a plan to reduce emissions by 85% while relying on potentially dubious methods to address the remainder. This strategy, he claims, compromises the EU’s credibility and undermines its ability to serve as a model for other nations striving for ambitious climate action.
The EU only presented its finalized climate target paper last week, raising questions about the transparency and strategic planning behind the process and further contributing to the perception of wavering commitment amongst international partners. The conference, beginning Monday in Belém, faces a critical test in rebuilding trust and demonstrating a unified front against the escalating climate crisis.
