Climate Change Conference: 'It will be a tough week, but we have to deliver'

The UN Climate Change Conference, taking place in Warsaw on 11-22 November, will focus on negotiations to help countries adapt to climate change and prepare for the 2015 Conference in Paris, where a new international climate agreement applicable to all countries after 2020 will be drafted. Matthias Groote (pictured), a German member of the S&D group, will head the EP delegation. We asked him about the goals and key issues.

What will be the delegation's main goals?

As a delegation of the European Parliament, our job is to discuss with as many parties (NGOs, delegations) as possible. We already have an agreement on cutting car emissions and to cut emissions to 20% below 1990 levels by 2020. This stands as a message we can sell. We want real pledges from all regions in the world. We want to move forward now and not in 2018 or 2020. We have to keep Paris 2015 in mind, and we have to push for binding commitments, also from non-developed countries. We also need more financial support from developed countries.

What results will you be satisfied with in Warsaw?

Warsaw will serve as a preparation for Paris where we will have to decide on new measures and quotas after 2020. Warsaw will hopefully be the conference of clear pledges and commitments. I would like to see commitments from the major economies to the Green Climate Fund, otherwise the underdeveloped countries will lose trust. It will be a tough week - late night discussions are a tradition - but we have to deliver.

Climate change infographic.

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