The European Parliament’s Environment Committee this morning gave its unanimous consent to the Council Decision on the conclusion on behalf of the EU of the Paris Climate Agreement. MEPs also adopted a Resolution highlighting their main priorities for the 2016 UN Climate Conference (COP22) due to take place in Marrakech in November.

“The implementation of the Paris Agreement will make a crucial contribution to global efforts to tackle climate change. The quick ratification decision by the EU will send a strong signal and highlight the leadership of the EU and its Member States and their continuing efforts to address climate change at international level”, said the Rapporteur and Chairman of the Environment Committee, Giovanni La Via MEP.

La Via invites the Council to take all the necessary steps to finalise its position on the Paris Agreement ratification together with the parallel national ratification processes in the Member States. “They should do it without delay, especially considering the recent ratification by the USA and China. The EU, a historical leader in the fight against climate change, has to ratify the Paris Agreement before the COP22 in Marrakech, and our vote today means that we are ready to do it", La Via pointed out.

“Due to internal disputes in the EU and between Member States, Europe is not yet on the right track”, stated Peter Liese MEP, Co-Rapporteur of the COP22 Resolution and EPP Group Spokesman in the Environment Committee. “It would be embarrassing for us, as a global leader in climate action, if we did not react quickly and pave the way for quick ratification. However, Member States should consider how they really are able to contribute. We do not believe that Europe should increase its objectives unilaterally, without further commitments of other signatories to the Agreement.”