12 EU Member States have come together to encourage the European Commission to speed up the process and present a plan for the enhancement of the EU’s 2030 target as soon as possible and by June at the latest.
“The EU has both the ability and potential to lead by example and help create a wave of global climate momentum but that requires a timely decision to enhance our 2030 target. The sooner we have a solid basis for that decision the better. That’s why we are calling on the European Commission to present their plan for an increased target as soon as possible”,says the Danish Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities, Dan Jørgensen.
All parties to the Paris Agreement are required to revisit their NDCs (nationally determined contributions) this year, and with the UN’s international climate conference (COP26) in Glasgow looming in November, time is short to agree on a stronger target.
“2020 has to be a year of climate ambition and everyone has to deliver. If anyone were in need of more reasons to act decisively, the recurring theme of extreme weather is a constant reminder of the urgency of the situation”, Minister Jørgensen said.
See letter to Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans
Facts:
The 12 countries that have signed on to the letter are: Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
Contact: Press Adviser Anna Munck, phone: +45 23 69 10 73