The UN global climate change summit (COP 20) has begun in Lima, Peru, as world leaders have gathered to discuss new targets and framework ahead of next year's Paris summit.
"The Lima conference should pave the way for a global agreement in Paris next year" - Kateřina Konečná
The EU is represented by Italian minister of environment Gian Luca Galletti, representing the Italian presidency, climate action and energy commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete, and chair of parliament's environment, public health and food safety (ENVI) committee Giovanni La Via, who will be leading the European parliament delegation.
Parliament's political groups have urged the EU's COP 20 delegation to be ambitious and decisive at the upcoming climate change summit. The UN yearly global climate change summit will take place this year from 1-12 December in Peru.
Recently, the US and China, the world's largest emitters of CO2, reached a groundbreaking agreement to drastically reduce emissions. This has been warmly received by many in parliament as, historically, the US and China have been reluctant to commit to climate change targets.
"The challenge for Lima is clear: all states need to agree on the basis for an international binding climate treaty" - Jo Leinen
S&D negotiator and co-chair of parliament's delegation to the conference Jo Leinen said, "The challenge for Lima is clear: all states need to agree on the basis for an international binding climate treaty".
"Until now the United States and China have been blocking the way, but it seems that now, they take climate change more seriously. As the biggest world polluters, their contribution will be crucial", added Leinen.
While a comprehensive agreement will not be reached this year, Lima is seen as an opportunity to set targets and outline a framework agreement ahead of next year's summit in Paris. GUE/NGL MEP and member of ENVI committee Kateřina Konečná said, "The Lima conference should pave the way for a global agreement in Paris next year".
Much of the discussion leading up to COP 20 has focused on how to lower not only EU emissions, but global emissions, through the engagement and support of developing countries, with Konečná saying, "The developed world must help developing countries through technology transfer".
"All parties involved in the COP 20 will have to work constructively to develop the basic elements of the agreement, to be concluded in Paris, and we, as Europeans, should play a key role" - Giovanni La Via
MEPs have also been keen to highlight the economic benefits of changing to a low-carbon economy if invested in properly and efficiently.
Giovanni La Via stressed, "In Lima we will face an important political challenge: to convince all parties concerned that moving towards a low-carbon economy is not something punitive, but something which will allow us to create jobs and develop the technologies and products that the global community needs".
However, La Via is hopeful that an agreement will be reached with the EU playing a key role in negotiations, saying, "All parties involved in the COP 20 will have to work constructively to develop the basic elements of the agreement, to be concluded in Paris, and we, as Europeans, should play a key role".