Brussels, 12 September 2025 (dpa/MIA) - A decision on the European Union's climate target for 2040 planned for next week has been postponed, the Danish EU Presidency announced Friday.

The move came after German Environment Minister Carsten Schneider backed down from his demand that EU environment ministers should decide on the target this month.

The EU has previously set itself the goal to become climate-neutral by 2050.

In July the European Commission proposed to cut climate-damaging greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040 compared to 1990 levels to continue the bloc's path to climate-neutrality.

The new target would replace the current target for 2030 according to which emissions need to be cut by 55% compared to 1990 levels.

Both EU member states and the European Parliament have to agree to the new target. EU countries were expected to formalise their position next week before entering negotiations with the parliament on the details of the bill.

The decision was however delayed after several countries expressed the wish that leaders rather than climate ministers will deal with the matter, the Danish EU Presidency said, which is currently in charge of hosting meetings of EU ministers.

EU leaders are expected to discuss the new climate law at a summit in October.