EU AT UNGA: A defining test for EU climate leadership on the global stage

Phoro: EuropeanUnion, 2024

 

The Summit of the Future was the first major international stage for EU leaders after the June elections. It was a critical opportunity to re-focus the global attention on the climate crisis ahead of the next 12 months during which countries must unlock an agreement on finance at COP29 and present their new national transition plans before November 2025. Unfortunately, Charles Michel paid it only some shy lip service. The UN General Assembly this week offers opportunities to showcase a stronger EU leadership on climate.

UN Secretary-General Guterres has worked hard to place climate action high on the global agenda, including via the Summit of the Future. World leaders have been fastened to a short-term crisis mode ever since the COVID-19 crisis. As a result, there’s been a creeping risk that they forgo key opportunities to advance climate action and build long-term global security.

The EU has been an international climate leader for decades. Since the EU elections in June President Von der Leyen has pushed back against fears the EU would backtrack on its commitments, vowing to keep the European Green Deal at the heart of her new economic agenda. Her new team of Commissioners have also been tasked with continuing to demonstrate EU climate leadership.

This is not only critical to reduce emissions, but to strengthen the competitiveness of the EU’s clean economy, building solid foundations for global climate safety and regaining international trust.

Unfortunately, outgoing President of the European Council Charles Michel did not pay climate enough attention. He rightfully addressed the impact of developing countries’ debt crisis on their climate action and vowed to remain a supportive partner, but stayed far from showcasing how the EU will remain an international climate leader. He will address world leaders again this week at the UN General Assembly, as will President von der Leyen and other European heads of state and government. They must seize this opportunity to put climate at the heart of the EU’s message by sharing these five points:

1. The climate crisis is a threat to global security and stability. It is a defining force of geopolitics and has a profound impact on crises worldwide, such as famines, mass displacements and conflicts over resources. Transitioning to a clean, fair and resilient economy is necessary to build global peace and stability. Climate action also provides an opportunity to rebuild trust based on shared principles within and across countries.
2. Climate action is an opportunity for all countries. The European Green Deal shields Europeans from volatile energy bills, improves public health and provides economic and employment opportunities in clean industries. Developing countries must also be able to seize these benefits, creating new industries and improving their access to public goods like cheap energy and a clean environment to pull people out of poverty. This economic transition will also make societies more resilient to climate impacts like droughts and floods.
3. 2025 is a critical moment for climate action. In little over a year, leaders will meet again at the climate conference in Brazil to assess the new national climate plans. It will be a critical chance to stabilise world temperatures and build a safe and just path towards a global clean economy. Leaders must use this opportunity to demonstrate that international cooperation works at a time when it’s needed more than ever. All countries must do their part by setting clear national transition plans and the right enabling conditions that allow every country to succeed.
4. The EU remains strongly committed to its climate leadership. Climate change and the transition to a clean and fair economy for all remains at the core of the European agenda. In the next five years, the EU will build the clean industries of the future, setting the stage for reducing emissions by 90% by 2040. The new EU leaders will work closely with European government leaders to ensure this ambition is reflected in the EU’s Nationally Determined Contribution. The EU will also support its partners via new mutually beneficial economic partnerships.
5. Countries must make the necessary financial resources available. More finance is needed to enable the global transition and enhance global resilience to climate impacts. The European Union will honour its commitments on climate finance and collaborate to establish a new climate finance target at COP29. Trillions, not billions, are needed – and while private finance is essential to reach this goal, larger public contributions are necessary to lead the way. Developed countries can raise such funds via new international levies and taxes and by reforming the international financial architecture to get better finance flowing to where it’s needed.

It is time for national leaders to step up and call the shots. Climate change is transforming all politics, economies, and societies. National leaders must not lose sight of the climate challenge and the importance of an urgent global response. They must lead climate action across their governments and push finance, trade and economy ministries to prioritise climate. Only leaders can make the necessary strategic choices to ensure their countries seize the opportunities of the global clean economy, benefit from climate safety and prevent the greater human, economic, and environmental costs of inaction.