India, Nov. 7 -- European Union climate ministers have reached a long-delayed decision on the bloc's 2040 emissions target after an all-night negotiation session in Brussels. The deal, concluded early on November 5, 2025, set a 90 per cent reduction goal from 1990 levels, but allowed new flexibilities that can reduce domestic carbon emission reduction.

The agreement permitted EU countries to buy foreign carbon credits to cover up to 5 per cent of the overall 90 per cent reduction goal, reported Reuters. That effectively lowers the required domestic cuts to 85 per cent, meaning industries can pay for emission reductions abroad rather than achieve them at home. Ministers also agreed to "consider the option, in future, to use international ...