EU Commissioner: "We need an agreement fit for purpose and fit for the future"

The European Union wants the Paris climate conference to conclude a fair, inclusive, dynamic, durable and ambitious legally binding climate agreement that will stop climate change over this century, EU Commissioner for Climate Action Miguel Arias Cañete said today at the high-level plenary session opening the final week of COP21 climate negotiations.

Commissioner Arias Cañete said: "We need a robust agreement. We need a credible agreement. We need an agreement fit for purpose and fit for the future. We owe this to our citizens and to our children. To succeed, we need every country doing its very best and the world moving together in the same direction. The world has changed for the better, and everyone needs to take responsibility."

He called on all Parties to work together to conclude a balanced agreement that will help reduce emissions while helping the most vulnerable to adapt to the existing climate impacts.

Read more:

• Commissioner Arias Cañete's speech
• Statements by Luxembourg Environment Minister Carole Dieschbourg and EU Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete at the high-level plenary (video)