MEPs debate on solutions to ensure that the annual climate finance goal of 100 billion USD is met in 2023 and to work on a post-2025 goal that would go beyond this amount. It reiterates Parliament’s request for a dedicated EU public finance mechanism to provide adequate support to meet the EU’s climate finance commitments. MEPs also want COP28 to make the loss and damage fund operational. They underline that all major emitters, including EU countries, should be ready to contribute their fair share to the fund. Extracts from the debate (Monday 20/11) and from the votes, and statement by Peter LIESE (EPP, DE), Chair of the EP delegation to COP 28.

statement

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

EICKHOUT, Bas (Greens/EFA, NL)

LIESE, Peter (EPP, DE)

PETERSEN, Morten (Renew, DK)

fight against climate change (T)

CHAHIM, Mohammed (S&D, NL)

PEREIRA, Lídia (EPP, PT)

Wopke HOEKSTRA (NL)

COP 28 (T)

UN Climate Change Conference 2023 in Dubai (COP28): extracts from the debate (Monday 20/11) and from the votes, and statement by Peter LIESE (EPP, DE), Chair of the EP delegation to COP28

Title: UN Climate Change Conference 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (COP28): extracts from the debate (Monday 20/11) and from the votes, and statement by Peter LIESE (EPP, DE), Chair of the EP delegation to COP28 (EbS) 

SOUNDBITE (English), Wopke HOEKSTRA, European Commissioner for Climate Action, Our model shows that full implementation of our policies will bring an emission reduction of around 57% by 2030, and it puts Europe firmly on track to reach climate neutral reality by 2050. To say the same about the entire world, we need to peak fossil fuels consumption this decade and phase out unabated fossil fuels well ahead of 2050. And we also need to stop new coal based power capacity, triple renewable renewable energy, and double the rate of energy efficiency by 2030.

SOUNDBITE (English), Wopke HOEKSTRA, European Commissioner for Climate Action, The EU will continue to deliver its fair share and frankly speaking, more than its fair share of the hundred billion goal. A new target for after 2025 should be part of global efforts to mobilise a wide variety of sources, both public and private, to meet the goal of the Paris Agreement. Last, but certainly not least, I remain committed to enabling the launch of the Loss and Damage Fund at COP 28.

SOUNDBITE (Portuguese), L&iacute;dia PEREIRA (EPP, PT), The deaths caused by climate change and the serious damage caused increases every year. There's no planet B and we continue to not do enough for the planet that we have. Europe is a leader, but it's still not doing everything it could, everything that's needed to save the planet. How can we ask India, China or the United States to do that if we don't?

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Mohammed CHAHIM (S&amp;D, NL), 91% of the deaths related to extreme weather occur in developing countries. The climate crisis and world injustice and inequality are linked. Interlinked climate change has never been so important, and our message for COP 28 is clear We have to make sure countries change their course to stop or restrict the rising global temperatures to 1.5 degrees.

SOUNDBITE (Danish), Morten PETERSEN (Renew, DK), The Climate Summit is extremely important because it is now we can discuss how to reach our goal with the Paris Agreement. Obviously that requires that we speed up. We must have the loss and damage fund. We must triple the amount of renewable energy, we must double the amount of energy efficiency, and we must phase out fossil fuels.

SOUNDBITE (English), Bas EICKHOUT (Greens/ALE, NL), For the first time, the world has gone beyond the two degrees threshold. This shows the urgency of action that we need to do. And therefore this first global stocktake in Dubai will also be the credibility test of the Paris Agreement. And therefore we need binding decisions on climate action, tripling renewables, doubling energy and efficiency, but most important, also the end of fossils.

Final vote:462 in favour, 134 against, 30 abstentions (1 shot)

SOUNDBITE (English), Peter LIESE (EPP, DE), Head of the EP Delegation to COP28, We are a representation of the citizens and the citizens want an agreement. It's a cop. And for us it is important to have also, when it comes to finance the High Ambition Coalition, the European Union is financing much more than we should per capita. The problem are others, and I think we need to unite with the least developed countries, with the small island states to put some pressure on those that did not live up to it, to their responsibility.

SOUNDBITE (English), Peter LIESE (EPP, DE), Head of the EP Delegation to COP28, It's very important to split the G-77 and China, which include the very poor countries, but also rich countries like Saudi Arabia and rather industrialised countries like China. And the focus should really be on the needs of those that suffer the most from climate change.

SOUNDBITE (English), Peter LIESE (EPP, DE), Head of the EP Delegation to COP28, We have a debate on the 2030 targets, and here the Parliament did a lot to be even beyond 55% (of Grenhouse gas emissions reduction). So what we have finally agreed brings us to 57%. And I regret that this is not the official NDC (Nationally Determined Contribution) of the European Union, but definitely we are one of the parts of the world that doesn't only have ambitious targets, but also a plan how to achieve it. And that should be our message: it's possible, we have done the legislation already, please follow.