The decision comes after France and Germany joined Poland and Italy in demanding that the vote be postponed until national leaders can have a say on the target, creating a blocking minority.
A ministerial discussion will still be held on Thursday to prepare for a debate at leaders’ level. A spokesperson for European Council President António Costa said that leaders would hold a “strategic discussion” at their Oct. 23 summit “on what the best economic strategy is to achieve Europe’s climate targets.”
In total, 11 of 27 countries asked for a delay during a preparatory meeting on Friday, three diplomats said, listing the Czech Republic, Malta, Austria, Slovakia, Romania, Hungary and Latvia besides Italy, France, Germany and Poland.
“It has always been our ambition … to get agreement on an EU target for 2040 as quickly as possible. I have never hidden the fact that it is a difficult task that is politically complicated,” Danish Climate Minister Lars Aagaard said after the meeting.
“I can see that among a sufficient number of member states there is a desire for the heads of government to discuss the matter before those member states are ready to conclude negotiations on the 2040 climate target,” he added.
Some countries, such as Germany, clarified that they want only a discussion but no decision at leaders’ level, with a vote among ministers held at a later date. A leaders’ agreement requires unanimity, raising the threat of a single country vetoing the target.