The European Union is set to miss a United Nations deadline to submit a formal plan on how to reach its climate goals. 

The bloc was expected to deliver a pledge at Wednesday's climate summit on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York but European Union member states remain deadlocked over competing timelines to reduce emissions.

The gridlock means the bloc's path towards climate neutrality and the delivery of the EU's nationally determined contribution (NDC) has been impacted.

The EU had been expected to present an emissions reduction plan for 2035 this month but instead the bloc has provided a statement of intent. 

"It's positive, very positive, that member states have been able to reach a consensus that sends signals on the EU's direction while finalizing the work on the climate targets," said Lars Aagaard, Danish Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities.

"It shows a will of the EU and its member states to find solutions in and promote global climate action," Aagaard added.

Wednesday's climate summit is a chance to build momentum ahead of the COP 30 climate conference in November held in Brazil. 

By 2035, the EU wants to cut greenhouse gas emissions by between 66.25 percent and 72.5 percent compared to 1990 levels.

The EU's long-term goal is to be carbon neutral by 2050.

How to get there is still subject to debate with some member states looking for greater flexibility in its commitments.

Poland is among those calling for some exemptions for sectors like defense. 

Ultimately beneficial

At a gathering of environmental ministers in Brussels last week Poland's representative said such discussions are ultimately beneficial. 

"Having a late decision but very robust - and agreed with a strong political mandate - is better than rushing decisions and then thinking of sliding back," said Krzysztof Bolesta, State Secretary at the Ministry for Climate and Environment of Poland .

But some experts say such delays are detrimental because the EU also has to present emissions targets for 2040.

"What it does with these delays and setbacks and hesitation is shoots itself in the foot, it's preventing itself from making a strategic case internationally and also probably dampening its economic opportunities for its own clean tech," said Manon Dufour, Executive Director at Third Generation Environmentalism, speaking to CGTN. 

The EU maintains that its proposals remain ambitious and in line with expectations set out in the 2015 Paris climate agreement.