EU seeks progress on Paris Agreement rules, forward momentum at UN climate talks

The European Union is seeking important steps forward on the detailed rules for implementing the Paris Agreement and looks forward to participating in 'Talanoa Dialogue' discussions at the UN climate conference from 30 April to 10 May in Bonn, Germany.

Parties to the Agreement are working to finalise the Paris work programme – the transparency and governance rules for implementing the landmark deal – by the end of 2018 as agreed. The EU's primary negotiating objective this year is to ensure the adoption of a set of rules that are consistent with what was agreed in Paris and that reflect the shared commitment to action, ambition and forward momentum.

While progress has been made in some areas, negotiators in Bonn must make concrete steps forward on important issues including transparency and accountability, in order to keep us on track to finalise a strong, comprehensive set of rules at the UN climate conference in December (COP24).

In parallel to the negotiations, Parties and stakeholders in Bonn will also hold discussions under the Talanoa Dialogue – a facilitative process taking place throughout 2018 to take stock of Parties' efforts and progress, share experiences from their different perspectives and consider the adequacy of the collective efforts in light of the long-term temperature goals of the Agreement. This preparatory stage of Talanoa paves the way for its political phase, at COP24 in December.

The EU considers the Talanoa Dialogue a key opportunity to bring focus on the solutions and potential associated with the low-carbon economy. The EU will therefore play an active role throughout Talanoa, sharing its experiences on putting in place ambitious climate policies and enabling conditions for the low-carbon transition, as well as exploring further avenues of cooperation with other Parties and stakeholders. On 13 June, the EU will hold its own Talanoa event in Brussels, bringing together a range of stakeholders, dignitaries and experts for a day of open exchanges.

During the Bonn conference, the EU delegation will host a side event on 3 May together with the Netherlands Institute of Public Health and the Environment, entitled 'Towards long-term national scenarios: Modelling meets policy'. The event will feature presentations of the latest model analyses of long-term national scenarios on climate change, followed by discussions between policy-makers and researchers on current climate policies and the way forward for achieving the Paris objectives.

Read more:

• Bonn climate change conference, 30 April-10 May 2018 (UNFCCC)
• Press briefings webstreamed live and on-demand
• EU side event (3 May 2018)
• Paris Agreement
• EU Talanoa event