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Climate Action
News article30 November 2015Directorate-General for Climate Action

President Juncker: Paris Agreement must promise better world for future generations

The new international climate deal must secure a safe and prosperous future for future generations all over the world, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told global leaders at the opening of the Paris climate summit today.

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The new international climate deal must secure a safe and prosperous future for future generations all over the world, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told global leaders at the opening of the Paris climate summit today.

President Juncker said that reaching a successful and binding global agreement was a matter of political will and determined action. He said the global transition to low-carbon economies will lead to new jobs, a better quality of life, a competitive economy and greater energy security.

President Juncker also stressed the EU's commitment to scale up climate finance to support developing countries in their efforts to mitigate climate change and adapt to its effects. The EU and its Member States are the biggest contributors of climate finance to developing countries, providing EUR 14.5 billion in 2014 alone.

The EU wants the UN climate conference to conclude an ambitious, dynamic, durable and binding global deal to fight climate change. For the EU, three elements are key to a credible agreement. The first is a global vision for a long-term goal as a signal of the resolve to shift to low-carbon economies. The second is a mechanism to regularly review and raise the collective ambition over time. Finally, a robust transparency and accountability system is essential to ensure that Parties and stakeholders can trust that what is promised will be delivered.

The Paris climate conference is scheduled to run from 30 November to 11 December. Luxembourg, as current holders of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, and the European Commission share responsibility for representing the EU in the Paris negotiations.

Climate Action and Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete, the EU's chief negotiator, and other members of the College are to take part in the conference and the broader Action Agenda during the coming two weeks in Paris.

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Publication date
30 November 2015
Author
Directorate-General for Climate Action