MEPs to discuss Paris climate agreement with COP21 President Laurent Fabius

French foreign affairs and international development minister Laurent Fabius will debate the December 2015 global deal on tackling climate change with MEPs this afternoon from 15.00. Mr Fabius chaired the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21) meeting in Paris that delivered the deal. A delegation of MEPs attended the talks, and the deal needs Parliament’s consent before it can be ratified by the European Union.

You can watch the debate here

The new agreement aims to limit global warming to 2°C above pre-industrial levels, while recognising the need to pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5 degrees. It also aims to achieve greenhouse gas (GHG) “emissions neutrality” (volumes emitted equal volumes sequestered, so zero net emissions) in the second half of the century. The conference of parties is to review progress in achieving these aims every five years.