UN Environment contributes to Debrief on Marrakesh Climate Summit in the European Parliament

European policymakers and stakeholders met on 28 February 2017 at a European Parliament (EP) Intergroup on meeting to assess the outcomes of the Climate Change Summit in Marrakesh of November 2016 and in particular the role of the EU in that process. This role was scrutinized with both praise and self-criticism. Ulf Björnholm, Head of UN Environment Brussels Office, was invited to provide a global perspective.

Member of the European Parliament and Vice-Chair of the Intergroup Julie Girling, who kicked off the discussions, highlighted the exemplary EU leadership during the Climate Summit as well as its very positive outcome that built on the successful Paris Agreement.

Jacob Werksman, Principal Advisor to the Director-General of the European Commission Directorate General on Climate Action, underlined that the Paris Agreement was inclusive both in terms of its scope as well as participation. Its success is strongly linked to the adaptation to climate change impacts he said while it also depends heavily on implementation and for this transparency and accountability are key. He addressed the need for stepping up EU leadership, especially in light of developments in the US with the new Administration. He informed that the Commission aims to demonstrate its continued commitment and leadership in three dimensions, notably in the implementation phase, but also in working in partnership with emerging economies and developing countries, and finally through its diplomacy.

According to Giovanni La Via, Member of the European Parliamant and Chair of the European Parliament Delegation at the Marrakesh Climate Summit, “the process made in Paris is strong and irreversible” and the willingness of actors to act on climate change is stronger than current political uncertainties.  Despite the commitments made by the EU to implement the Paris Agreement he stressed that it needs to make additional efforts to achieve reductions well below 2 degrees.

Vice-Chair of the EP Delegation and Member of the European Parliament Jo Leinen also welcomed the outcomes of the Summit, however underlining the fact that the promises on the financial side are lacking in particular for supporting small island developing states in dealing with the loss and damage incurred to them by climate change

Ulf Björnholm, Head of UN Environment Brussels Office, noted that over the past few years raising awareness, achieving political consensus and taking action on the ground have been significant for climate action. He welcomed the progress made during the two last Climate Summits (Paris and Marrakesh) also stressing that the Paris agreement enjoyed full consensus and ratification at record speed. In his view tackling climate change is a difficult but not an impossible process, and the EU leadership role is indispensable. He encouraged the EU to be bold suggesting that it can go even further by setting climate change at the core of a new Europe. Finally, he pointed out the need for all stakeholders to work together; and underlined that the United Nations is committed to improve collaboration and delivery of support to member states on climate action.

The last speaker, Luc Bas, Director of International Union for the Conservation of Nature European Regional Office, referred to the Paris Agreement stressing the need to approach it with a higher sense of urgency. He also pointed out that on climate targets a reality check is of major importance, He stressed the important role of local action and the crucial role that stakeholders play in holding Parties accountable. He further noted that the benefits of energy solutions are most often discussed but more attention should be given to nature-based solutions.

Discussions touched upon the role of agriculture in reducing emissions, upon the fact that no sector will be spared from making efforts to reduce emissions, and upon the need to integrate climate change more into the EU budget. Overall, the results of Marrakech were considered positive and the from the emphasis should now lie on taking  actions to ensure that the EU remains on track.

Link to full report: http://ebcd.org/unfccc-cop22-debrief-next-steps/