As part of the preparations for the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), to be held in Dubai (United Arab Emirates, from 30 November to 12 December 2023), the European Union’s Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper) examined the Council’s preliminary conclusions on Wednesday 4 October. These conclusions are intended to define the EU’s position in the run-up to the conference.
The document studied by Coreper members highlights the urgent need for a transition to a carbon-neutral economy, in line with the 2015 Paris Agreement objective of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
Two of the salient points of this document are paragraphs 14 and 15, on which Coreper members were specifically asked to comment.
Paragraph 14 stresses the need for an accelerated reduction in the consumption of fossil fuels. It focuses particularly on the energy sector, arguing for a move away from fossil fuels well before 2050. In addition, this paragraph urges the abolition of environmentally unfriendly fossil fuel subsidies by 2025.
Paragraph 15 calls for global targets for 2030 in line with the 1.5°C objective. It suggests tripling renewable energy capacity to 11,000 gigawatts and doubling energy efficiency by 2030. These aspirations are essential to the transition to a ‘green’ energy system, while supporting developing countries in this transition.
Following the examination of the text by the ambassadors to the EU (Coreper) on 4 October, the consolidated position, having received their endorsement, will be debated by the environment and climate ministers at the ‘Environment’ Council on 16 October. One of the aims of this session will be to define the EU’s negotiating position for COP28.
This year’s conference will mark a major milestone, as it will be dedicated to assessing progress since the 2015 Paris Agreement, on the occasion of the first global stocktaking exercise. The parties will also discuss the mitigation of climate change, climate finance and, in particular, the loss and damage financing mechanism designed to assist the most vulnerable countries affected by climate-related disasters. This last point was formalised at COP27 in 2022 in Sharm-el-Sheikh (Egypt). (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)