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Climate Action
News article10 May 2018Directorate-General for Climate Action

UN climate talks bring moderate progress on Paris Agreement rulebook

Global climate negotiators have made some important incremental steps forward on a detailed rulebook for implementing the Paris Agreement, but a major shift in gear will be required to secure adoption of the rules this year, as was agreed in Paris...

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Global climate negotiators have made some important incremental steps forward on a detailed rulebook for implementing the Paris Agreement, but a major shift in gear will be required to secure adoption of the rules this year, as was agreed in Paris 2015.

At a UN climate session from 30 April to 10 May in Bonn, Germany, negotiations took place on all areas of the Paris work programme – transparency and governance rules for implementing the landmark deal. In parallel, Parties and non-Party stakeholders held constructive discussions on climate change impacts, the adequacy of collective global ambition and the potential for scaling up climate action, under the 'Talanoa Dialogue'.

Parties are aiming to finalise the work programme at the COP24 climate conference in Katowice, Poland, in December. Due to the considerable work still needed, an additional UN climate session will be held this autumn in Bangkok, Thailand.

European Climate Action and Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete said: "Negotiators in Bonn worked hard to move us forward on the Paris rulebook, but Parties must urgently step up the pace and show collective determination and political will if we are to deliver in Katowice. Putting in place a clear, comprehensive governing framework is the only way we will be able to turn our shared commitment into collective global action. It is also in the interest of all sides – developed, developing and most vulnerable countries alike."

In Bonn, many heads of delegation from the EU and its Member States took part in the first global Talanoa Dialogue discussions, together with Parties and representatives from a diverse range of non-state groups.

During the open and constructive talks, the EU shared its experiences of implementing climate policies and how it has established a comprehensive regulatory framework for 2030, covering all sectors of the economy and developed in close cooperation with all stakeholder groups, to enable the necessary transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient society.

The EU is strongly supportive of Talanoa as a unique opportunity to focus on the solutions and potential associated with the low-carbon transformation, as well as enhancing cooperation and trust. On 13 June, the European Commission will host an 'EU for Talanoa' conference in Brussels for open discussions between representatives from the EU institutions, cities and regions, civil society, businesses, trade unions and other stakeholders.

The current preparatory stage of Talanoa paves the way for its political phase at COP24. For this political phase, the forthcoming IPCC report on 1.5 degrees and other processes this year should inform discussions on climate action and adequacy of ambition, both nationally and globally, including at the UN Secretary General Climate Summit next year.

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Publication date
10 May 2018
Author
Directorate-General for Climate Action