Paris climate conference: historic opportunity to avoid dangerous climate change

EU News 351/2015

Brussels, 25 November 2015
IP/15/6160

The European Commission today underlined the crucial importance of reaching a fair, ambitious and legally binding global climate deal at the United Nations climate change conference in Paris from 30 November-11 December. The European Union will be working to achieve a comprehensive, durable and dynamic agreement that will accelerate the global shift to low-carbon, climate-resilient economies. This will not only help curb climate change and increase societies' efforts to adapt to its impacts, but also underpin long-term economic growth and sustainable development in the EU and globally. Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Climate Action and Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete will both participate in the conference, along with other world leaders.

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EU position

The increase in the global average temperature needs to be held below 2°C above the pre-industrial levels in order to prevent the worst impacts of climate change. For the EU, the new agreement must send a clear signal of governments' resolve to reduce emissions sufficiently to keep temperature increase below the agreed limit by the end of the century. The EU's vision of a credible agreement includes:

1. A global vision for a long term goal as a signal for stakeholders, including businesses, investors and the public, of the resolve to shift to low-carbon economies;

2. A mechanism to regularly review and raise the collective ambition;

3. A robust transparency and accountability system to ensure that Parties and stakeholders can trust that what is promised will be delivered.

Source and additional information:
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-15-6160_en.htm?locale=en

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