The EU insists it remains the global leader on climate action and is the principal international donor in the field. (AFP pic)

BRUSSELS: After having its hopes dashed for a more ambitious deal last year in Brazil, the European Union is setting its sights low for next month's COP31 climate summit in Turkey.

The UN gathering in Antalya is being framed by Brussels as more about "implementation" than major announcements, with a focus on efforts to replace fossil fuels with electricity throughout the economy.

"It would be counterproductive to arrive with overly high expectations and end up disappointed," a European Commission official, granted anonymity to discuss internal thinking, told AFP.

Environment ministers from the EU's 27 nations will formally set the bloc's common position at a meeting next Monday in Luxembourg.