Once again, Europe is at the forefront of fighting climate change. This will be seen again at COP28, which starts next week in Dubai (United Arab Emirates); Here the EU will be the clearest voice in calling for an end to dirty fuels that are killing the planet. And the European Parliament Agreed to call for an end to subsidies fossil fuels It is stated that “as soon as possible and by 2025 at the latest” and that the targets of tripling renewable capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030 are part of Europe’s stance at COP28.
With 462 votes in favour, 134 against and 30 abstentions.MEPs adopted the resolution on COP28 in plenary session, calling on countries to end the current gap between commitments made and the actual reduction in emissions needed to control warming.
The situation is an emergency and these days it is known that The planet is heading towards 3 degrees of global warming Compared to the pre-industrial period by the end of the century, this directly doubles the maximum of 1.5°C envisaged in the Paris Agreement.
The European Parliament advocates the “concrete phase-out” of fossil fuels, not the “reduction”
In the recently adopted resolution, the European Parliament advocates the “reduction” and not the “concrete phase-out” of fossil fuels, as proposed by other negotiating blocs at climate summits and reflected in the text adopted at COP27 on the Sheikh in Sharm. (Egypt), in November 2022.
In addition, Called for halt to all new investments in fossil fuel extraction To achieve the Paris Agreement’s goal of preventing the increase in the planet’s average temperature from exceeding one and a half degrees above pre-industrial levels.
But this position It clashes head-on with the assumptions of oil-producing countriesLike the United Arab Emirates, which hosted the summit, it calls for a gradual reduction, but we should not cut corners. Other poor countries dependent on hydrocarbons are also calling for more gradual elimination.
“The USA and China do not actually take on a leading role. Europe should take on this. We must also build bridges to the Global South and take full responsibility for historical emissions and address issues of loss and damage,” Greens MEP Pär Holmgren told EFE.
Holmgren insisted Fossil fuels should not be reduced completely, they should be abandoned completelyand we welcomed the fact that the European Parliament’s stance on strengthening climate commitments and demanding an increase in climate finance for developing countries was “ambitious”.
“The USA and China do not actually take on a leading role. Europe should take on this.”
The popular Peter Liese, head of the European Parliament delegation to COP28, stated: EU finances ‘much more’ than its share ‘per capita’ So the problem is not with the EU, he added, “we must join the underdeveloped countries and small island states in putting pressure on those who fail to fulfill their responsibilities.”
According to Efe agency news, the Member of the European Parliament pointed out the difference between these developing countries, which are more vulnerable to the climate crisis, and industrialized countries such as China or Saudi Arabia, and suggested that the “focus” should be on the former.
Likewise, he made the following assessment: The parliament raised the target of the EU’s climate targets, from reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55% to 57% by 2030. but regretted that this did not mean “this is the commitment set at the national level of the EU”.
“But we are one of the parts of the world that not only has an ambitious target, but also has a plan to achieve that target,” he added, “and that should be our message, that it is possible, that we already have the necessary legislation and they are following us. ”
180 conservation organizations applauded the measure
The text also impacts biodiversity restoration and conservation and calls for a “significant” reduction in climate impact and methane emissions from sectors such as aviation, agriculture, defense and shipping.
From the Climate Action Network (CAN) in Europe A group of 180 environmental organizations celebrated the decision, In particular, it calls for an end to fossil fuels and subsidies for these energies, which are responsible for the climate crisis, as well as to stop the extraction of fossil fuels, as reflected in a statement.
They also highlighted MEPs’ request that the Loss and Damage Fund be launched at COP28 “with the significant participation of civil society and communities, ensuring adequate capitalization through new, additional and predictable financing” and grants that should be independent of humanitarian aid.
“We call on European governments and the European Commission to align with these key demands during negotiations at COP28 and partner with other countries to achieve these results,” said CAN Europe Director Chiara Martinelli.
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