The 2021 UN climate change conference (COP26) took place from 1 to 12 November 2021 in Glasgow. The EU and its Member States took part as Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The annual Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC brought together governments from around the world to agree coordinated action to tackle climate change. The conference was also a space for governments, businesses, local authorities and civil society to discuss and showcase climate action. The COP26 was the first stocktaking of the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

After two weeks of negotiations, the Glasgow Climate Pact was adopted on Saturday 13 November.

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 its member states. It also increases the EU’s target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 from 40% to at least 55%, compared to 1990 levels. In July 2021, the Commission presented the “Fit for 55 in 2030” package to enable the EU to reach the more ambitious 2030-target.

COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow: Briefing provided by Diederik Samsom head of cabinet for First Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans