Preparations for the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (Dubai, 30 November – 12 December 2023) – Council conclusions

Summary:

Set of conclusions adopted by the Council of the European Union at a meeting on 16 October 2023, setting the European Union's (EU) position for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28).

Further information:

The Council highlights the opportunities that ambitious climate action brings for the planet, the economy and the people, and the importance of a just transition towards climate-resilient economies and climate neutrality. Member States also highlight the importance of scaling up global climate ambition to keep the 1.5°C objective within reach, in line with the Paris Agreement. They argue that all Parties should have revisited and strengthened their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) or updated their long-term emission development strategies ahead of COP28.

The conclusions stress that the transition to a climate-neutral economy requires a global phase-out of unabated fossil fuels and a peak in their consumption in this decade. They highlight the importance of having the energy sector predominantly free of fossil fuels well before 2050, as well as of striving for a fully or predominantly decarbonised global power system in the 2030s. They call for a phase-out as soon as possible of fossil fuel subsidies which do not address energy poverty or just transition. Member States also argue for global action towards the tripling of installed renewable energy capacity and the doubling of the rate of improvement in energy efficiency by 2030.

Member States also emphasise the importance of successfully conducting the first Global Stocktake at COP28, a core element of the Paris Agreement. The conclusions reiterate the importance for all Partie of making greater efforts to integrate climate change adaptation and resilience into existing policies and programmes within relevant sectors.  Ministers call on all countries to scale up their efforts to mobilise financing from all sources to support climate action.

• Primary Source

Commentary and Analysis

Climate Action Network (CAN Europe): Letter to European Commissioner for Climate: Recommendations for the EU at COP28 (5 October 2023) https://caneurope.org/letter-to-european-commissioner-climate-recommendations-for-cop28/

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News

Euronews, 04/09/2023: EU prepares to push for ‘global phase-out’ of fossil fuels at COP28, draft document shows https://www.euronews.com/green/2023/09/04/eu-prepares-to-push-for-global-phase-out-of-fossil-fuels-at-cop28-draft-document-shows

EurActiv, 16/10/2023: EU countries wrangle over negotiating stance for COP28 climate summit https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy-environment/news/eu-countries-wrangle-over-negotiating-stance-for-cop28-climate-summit/

Reuters, 16/10/2023: EU to push for COP28 deal on phasing out fossil fuels https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/eu-wrangles-over-negotiating-stance-cop28-climate-summit-2023-10-16/

Euronews, 16/10/2023: COP28: EU to push for deal on phasing out 'unabated' fossil fuels at UN climate conference https://www.euronews.com/green/2023/10/16/cop28-which-eu-countries-are-calling-for-the-bloc-to-demand-a-fossil-fuel-phase-out

EurActiv, 17/10/2023: EU countries hammer out joint stance for COP28 climate summit https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy-environment/news/eu-countries-hammer-out-joint-stance-for-cop28-climate-summit/

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Official

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 16/10/2023: COP28: Council sets out EU position for UN climate summit in Dubai https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/10/16/cop28-council-sets-out-eu-position-for-un-climate-summit-in-dubai/

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