The European Parliament has just approved, with an overwhelming majority, a resolution on COP26 that our S&D delegation will take to the upcoming UN Conference in Glasgow. We will work hard to raise ambition to make sure we meet the 1.5 degree target set in the Paris Agreement. The EU has translated into legislation our ambitious goals in order to become the first continent to be climate neutral by 2050 at the latest. It’s high time everyone, National governments, industry and civil society, come together to save our planet.

S&D vice-president responsible for the Green Deal, Mohammed Chahim, said:

“It has been two years since the COP25 in Madrid, where we were left empty handed. Today, the world looks different. Europe looks different. We now have our climate law, the Green deal, and the Fit for 55 package in the EU. Other countries and continents have also taken steps in the right direction; look at China’s pledge to be climate neutral by 2060. Now, in Glasgow, we need to ensure that we translate this into concrete steps to put the promises of the Paris Agreement into action. The clock is ticking.”

S&D rapporteur and member of the environment committee, Javi Lopez, added:

“We need to make this COP26 a success. Leaders around the world continue to struggle to address the climate crisis and although some progress has been made, there is still an ambition gap between global commitments and the Paris Agreement objectives. The EU needs to gear up and demonstrate its leadership on climate action. We are called to play a decisive role in finalising the work programme of the Paris Agreement and pushing all other partners to commit to a higher climate ambition.”

S&D co-ordinator in the environment committee, Jytte Guteland, declared:

“After years of obstacles and setbacks, we can eventually be optimistic in our struggle to honour the Paris Agreement. The EU is leading at a global level through the climate law and the climate package. The US have new targets and a new progressive President. Even China have pledged for climate neutrality. The COP26 in Glasgow must be a turning point not just in words but also in concrete emission reduction. Today, we have adopted our negotiating mandate with a clear message to the world: we need to end fossil fuel subsidies, introduce emissions pricing as in the Emissions Trading System (ETS) and strengthen climate finance. It´s time to go from words to action.”

Note for editors:

Mohammed Chahim, Jytte Guteland and Cyrus Engerer will be the S&D MEPs participating in the EP Delegation to the COP26, taking place from the 9th to the 13th of November in Glasgow, UK.