MEPs to push for high ambitions at COP26 in Glasgow
A European Parliament delegation arrives in Glasgow today to participate in the COP26, where they will meet with key players in the negotiations.
An official delegation from the European Parliament will take part in the UN Climate Change Conference, COP26, taking place in Glasgow this week, from today until 13 November. The delegation is led by Pascal Canfin (Renew, FR), with Peter Liese (EPP, DE) as Vice-Chair.
MEPs will meet with UNFCCC Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa as well as ministers, parliamentarians and other delegates from several non-EU countries including Brazil, USA, Russia, South Africa and the Maldives, as well as civil society representatives.
An online press seminar with three of the MEPs attending COP26, including Pascal Canfin (Renew, FR), the Chair of the delegation, will take place today at 11.20 – 12.30 CET. You can follow it live here.
A press conference with delegation Vice-Chair, Peter Liese (EPP, DE), and Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans is scheduled to take place on Thursday 11 November at 14.45 GMT (15.45 CET). It can be followed live here.
On Wednesday 10 November at 11.30-12.30 GMT (12.30-13.30 CET), the European Parliament is hosting a side event at the EU Pavilion focusing on carbon pricing in the European Union and the lessons to be drawn for the rest of the world. The session will also examine the global context of the EU’s proposed Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the EU’s Emissions Trading System for the aviation and maritime sectors. It can be followed live here.
Quotes
“The world needs to step up its climate ambitions. We cannot leave this COP with a 2.7 degree trajectory, which is currently the case. Europe must lead by example and use the climate tools at our disposal, like the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), to reshape globalisation in a climate consistent way” says Pascal Canfin (Renew, FR), Chair of the delegation.
“We can only avoid a dramatic climate catastrophe if the world works together. Europe has already reduced its emissions by 25% since 1990 but we need to drastically increase our efforts. As emissions continue to rise sharply elsewhere in the world, we need to work out how to convince the rest of the world to decrease their emissions. The “Fit for 55 package” needs to be designed in a way that invites the world to follow us on the path to decarbonisation,” says Peter Liese (EPP, DE), Vice-Chair of the delegation.
Background
Parliament has been pushing for more ambitious EU climate legislation, and declared a climate emergency on 28 November 2019. In June 2021, the European Climate Law was adopted by Parliament. It transforms the European Green Deal’s political commitment to EU climate neutrality by 2050 into a binding obligation for the EU and member states. It also increases the EU’s target for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 from 40 % to at least 55 %, compared to 1990 level. In July 2021, the Commission presented the “Fit for 55 in 2030” package to enable the EU to reach the more ambitious 2030-target.
