The absence of the EU, a longtime leader of global climate policy and diplomacy, would be extraordinary. The U.S., which has walked away from global efforts, was also not on the list.
On Thursday, when the U.N. list was published, EU ministers were locked in talks over a “statement of intent,” which they hoped the EU might deliver instead of a hard target.
Given the strict criteria set by the U.N., there was no guarantee this would grant the EU access. China, the largest polluter, was on the list and was expected to announce a new target. Russia was on the list. India, however, was not afforded a platform.
A U.N. official signaled the EU might be given a pass and that the bloc was expected to have “something” to announce on Sept. 24.
“We know that they take climate seriously,” said the official, who was granted anonymity in order to discuss sensitive diplomatic matters. “We know that they are working on their NDC, so we’ve given them the time, but we need them to really continue to be that global leader.”
The European Commission did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Karl Mathiesen reported from London. Sara Schonhardt reported from Washington.