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CO2 emissions compared to 1990 -- is not now seen as sufficient to achieve this goal.

At an October summit, the EU leaders postponed the decision on the more ambitious climate target until their next meeting, given the hesitation by the eastern member states.

The new climate goals are backed by big EU powers, including France and Germany, as well as many major businesses keen to access European funding to kickstart a recovery through what Brussels has taken to calling a green new deal.

But environmental activists decried the latest move as not ambitious enough.

“It shows that political convenience takes precedence over climate science, and that most politicians are still afraid to take on big polluters,” Greenpeace EU climate policy adviser Sebastian Mang said.

The climate and the budget succeeded in pushing failing Brexit trade negotiations to the side.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen told leaders that there were “low expectations” of a deal in a short discussion at the end of the summit.

London and Brussels have said they will decide by Sunday whether to press on with talks aimed at reaching an accord or throw in the towel, as negotiators from the two sides met again to seek a way forward.

Amid their packed schedule the EU leaders also agreed to draw up a list of Turkish targets for sanctions in response to Ankara’s prospecting for gas in Greek and Cypriot waters.

The move fell short of broader punitive measures urged by Athens and Nicosia, as other EU nations remained hesitant about imposing wider sanctions or an arms embargo on NATO member Ankara.