The European Parliament’s Environment Committee has today voted on a resolution on the upcoming COP22, urging the EU to ratify the Paris Agreement before the end of this year and calling for revision of its 2030 climate target in 2018.
In reaction to this, Ulriikka Aarnio, International Climate Policy Coordinator at Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe, said:
“The Environment Committee is rightfully very concerned that not being part of the first wave of ratifying countries would be embarrassing for the EU, which has long prided itself as a global leader in climate action. Further, the recognition that current action is not in line with the goal to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees is essential. The EU must now proceed with a swift ratification, while at the same time getting ready to ratchet-up its inadequate 2030 target by 2018 the latest”.
According to CAN Europe, in order to align the EU climate policy with the Paris Agreement and keep the 1.5oC Paris goal within reach:
- The post-2020 targets (NDCs) must be revised as soon as possible and at the facilitative dialogue in 2018 at COP24 the latest.
- Increased pre-2020 action is a prerequisite to reach the goals agreed in Paris, and the EU must ensure the overachievement of its 2020 target contributes to additional pre-2020 action and not allow this overachievement to be used to achieve the 2030 targets.
ENDS
Contact:
Caroline Westblom, CAN Europe Communications Officer, caroline@caneurope.org, +32 48 456 62 39
Ulriikka Aarnio, CAN Europe International Climate Policy Coordinator, ulriikka@caneurope.org, +32 2894 4674
Notes:
Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe is Europe’s largest coalition working on climate and energy issues. With over 130 member organisations in more than 30 European countries – representing over 44 million citizens – CAN Europe works to prevent dangerous climate change and promote sustainable climate and energy policy in Europe.
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