EU calls for higher ambition at COP28 with accelerated emissions reductions and clean energy transition

Today (1 December), President von der Leyen (pictured) will attend the World Climate Action Summit officially opening the COP28 UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai. The EU will call on all Parties to take urgent action to bring down greenhouse gas emissions this decade and respect the commitments they made under the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to below 2°C, and to aim for 1.5°C.

On 1 December, in the EU Pavilion, President von der Leyen will host a high-level event on promoting Paris-aligned carbon markets, as well as a launch event for EU-Catalyst breakthrough energy projects, and an event on the Just Energy Transition Partnership with Vietnam. On 2 December, the President will launch the Global Pledge on Renewables and Energy Efficiency, together with the COP28 Presidency, aiming to triple installed renewables capacity and double energy efficiency measures by 2030. She will also speak at the Super-Pollutants Summit, attend the Coal Transition Accelerator (CTA) initiative event, participate in the Global Stocktake roundtable on Means of Implementation, and deliver the official EU Statement in Plenary with President of the European Council Charles Michel.

From 6 December onwards, Commissioner for Climate Action Wopke Hoekstra will lead the EU negotiating team in the formal decision-making process of COP28, including the first Global Stocktake under the Paris Agreement. This will be a moment for all Parties to examine the progress made and the necessary actions to correct our course towards a safer climate and uphold the goals of the Paris Agreement. The EU will notably encourage all partners to agree to global energy goals that seek to accelerate the phaseout of unabated fossil fuels, as part of increasing global ambition on climate change mitigation.

Executive Vice President Maroš Šefčovič (1-6 December), Vice President Dubravka Šuica (8 December), Commissioner Johannes Hahn (3 December), Commissioner Janez Lenarčič (3 December), Commissioner Kadri Simson (3-5 December), and Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius (9 December) are also attending COP28.

A full press release is available here and more information can be found online in the EU negotiating mandate for COP28, Commissioners' calendars and the EU Side Events programme.

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