Dokumente - Think Tank - Europäisches Parlament

Auf einen Blick - COP29 climate change conference: Outcomes - 26-11-2024

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 23:00:00 GMT

The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, in Baku, Azerbaijan, ended on 24 November 2024, two days late. The conference adopted a new collective quantified goal on climate finance destined towards developing countries, and finalised the rules for the operationalisation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which provides for bilateral and global carbon trading.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2024 - EP

Auf einen Blick - Klimakonferenz COP 29 in Baku - 11-11-2024

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 15:59:47 GMT

Die 29. Konferenz der Vertragsparteien (COP 29) des Rahmenübereinkommens der Vereinten Nationen über Klimaänderungen findet vom 11. bis zum 22. November 2024 in Baku (Aserbaidschan) statt. Der Gastgeber der COP 29 hat die Konferenz auf zwei Säulen ausgerichtet: „Ermöglichung von Ambitionen“ und „Ermöglichung von Maßnahmen“, wobei der erste Schwerpunkt auf den Klimaaktionsplänen der Vertragsparteien und der zweite Schwerpunkt auf der Klimafinanzierung liegt. In der November-I-Plenartagung soll das Europäische Parlament über einen Entschließungsantrag zur COP 29 abstimmen, der von seinem Ausschuss für Umweltfragen, öffentliche Gesundheit und Lebensmittelsicherheit (ENVI) eingereicht wurde.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2024 - EP

Auf einen Blick - Rahmen der EU für die Zertifizierung von CO2-Entnahmen - 08-04-2024

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 09:15:56 GMT

Mit der CO2-Entnahme müssen die verbleibenden schwer zu verringernden Emissionen abgedeckt werden, um Klimaneutralität bis 2050 zu erreichen und ab 2050 negative Emissionen gemäß dem Europäischen Klimagesetz zu erzielen. Der vorgeschlagene Zertifizierungsrahmen zielt darauf ab, einen transparenten und glaubwürdigen Steuerungsrahmen für den Aufbau von Vertrauen in die in der EU zertifizierte CO2-Entnahme sicherzustellen und Anreize für die weitere Anwendung zu schaffen. Im Februar 2024 erzielten die beiden gesetzgebenden Organe eine vorläufige Einigung. Das Europäische Parlament stimmt voraussichtlich auf der April-I-Plenartagung über den endgültigen Text ab.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2024 - EP

Auf einen Blick - COP28 climate change conference: Outcomes - 13-12-2023

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 23:00:00 GMT

The 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, ended on 13 December 2023. The conference operationalised the Loss and Damage Fund, which was established by COP27 in 2022. It also concluded the first global stocktake of climate action under the Paris Agreement and adopted a decision calling for accelerated short-term action and an orderly transition away from fossil fuels towards climate-neutral energy systems – the first-ever COP decision to address fossil fuels.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2023 - EP

Briefing - EU green strategic autonomy: The challenge of combining two objectives - 21-09-2023

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 22:00:00 GMT

The 2015 Paris Climate Agreement and the 2019 European Green Deal initiated a wave of EU policies and legislation to combat climate change and protect the environment. Achieving a green transition became a key driver of EU policies. While many pieces of legislation were being discussed or adopted, the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine moved the political focus to supply chain security and energy dependencies. Since then, achieving open European strategic autonomy for the EU economy has become an equally important EU policy driver. The European Commission is trying to reconcile these environmental and economic objectives by advocating a green and digital transition, which should lead to green growth, decoupling growth and pollution. The 2023 strategic foresight report 'Sustainability and people's wellbeing at the heart of Europe's open strategic autonomy' illustrates this effort. However, greening the economy and making the EU more autonomous do not always overlap. Whereas the Commission emphasises synergy between these objectives, that is just one possible scenario for the EU's future. Focusing on greening or autonomy only are equally viable scenarios, as is the possibility of achieving none of these objectives. Recently, tensions between the objectives of greening and becoming more autonomous have surfaced in political debates. French President Emmanuel Macron suggested a pause in European environmental legislation to increase industrial competitiveness. In debates on the EU nature restoration law, opponents pointed to possible negative economic consequences for European farmers of the proposed law. Tensions may also increase in the area of energy production, particularly if energy prices rise again. To achieve a combined transition towards a green and more autonomous EU, the EU and its Member States will have to focus on win-win solutions. A more circular economy with a higher degree of recycling and nature-based solutions in construction or agriculture are examples of such solutions. Some consider that long-term solutions should also question the principle of economic growth itself, and Western societies may have to aim for 'de-growth', whereas others fear this might hamper green investment, and therefore stick to the notion of 'green growth'.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2023 - EP

Briefing - Climate change [What Think Tanks are thinking] - 03-02-2023

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 23:00:00 GMT

Last year’s UN Climate Change Conference, COP27, made some headway in efforts to fight climate change, but its overall progress was limited. The gathering agreed to create a loss-and-damage fund, to support poorer countries disproportionately affected by climate change while only being responsible for a small share of global greenhouse gas emissions. Governments at COP27 also called for reform of the International Monetary Fund and the multilateral development banks, to align global public finance with the goals of the Paris Agreement on climate. However, the meeting produced barely any new initiatives on climate mitigation, which are needed to take to keep alive the Paris 1.5°C temperature-reduction goal. The European Union is debating a response to the US Inflation Reduction Act, which provides for US$369 billion investment in energy security and combatting climate change, but may threaten to lure away from Europe some clean-tech corporate investment. This note offers links to recent commentaries, studies and reports from international think tanks on climate issues. More papers on the topic can be found in a previous edition of ‘What Think Tanks are Thinking.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2023 - EP

Studie - The COP27 Climate Change Conference - 03-10-2022

Sun, 02 Oct 2022 22:00:00 GMT

This study provides an overview of the status of international climate negotiations and issues at stake at the COP27 climate change conference. It also addresses the current implementation of the Paris Agreement, the stakeholders in the negotiations and the climate policies of key Parties. This document was provided by the Policy Department for Economic, Scientific and Quality of Life Policies at the request of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI).

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2022 - EP

Briefing - Climate change [What Think Tanks are thinking] - 07-07-2022

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 22:00:00 GMT

Russia’s war on Ukraine has reduced supplies of gas and oil to the European Union and other regions, increasing energy prices and complicating efforts to cut emissions of greenhouse gases. Faced with oil and gas shortages, some countries have started to fire up polluting coal power plants which had previously been shut down, or have postponed their planned closure. Burning coal or lignite emits much more carbon dioxide than using oil and gas to produce electricity. Scientists and analysts are urging swift, radical action on climate change, pointing to this and last year’s extreme weather – severe floods, fires, and more frequent hurricanes. Governments across the world are preparing for the next climate change conference, to be held in Sharm El-Sheikh at the end of 2022. The meeting is to provide more details of how countries plan to achieve the agreed goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, as set out in the 2015 Paris Agreement. This note offers links to recent commentaries, studies and reports from international think tanks on climate issues. More papers on the topic can be found in a previous edition of ‘What Think Tanks are Thinking.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2022 - EP

Auf einen Blick - The 2022 G7 Summit: Against the backdrop of Russia's war on Ukraine - 05-07-2022

Mon, 04 Jul 2022 22:00:00 GMT

The 48th G7 Summit took place at Schloss Elmau, Germany, on 26-28 June 2022. Russia's war on Ukraine has heavily affected the G7's deliberations this year and created pressing new global challenges that were discussed both in the preparatory meetings and at the summit itself. The resulting communiqué focuses on supporting Ukraine, on reducing the impact of the war on the global economy, security of supply and prices of energy and food, climate challenges and the new G7 partnership for infrastructure and investment in developing countries.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2022 - EP

Auf einen Blick - COP26 climate change conference: Outcomes - 22-11-2021

Sun, 21 Nov 2021 23:00:00 GMT

Following prolonged talks, the 26th Conference of the Parties ended late on 13 November 2021. With countries' nationally determined contributions (NDC) ahead of the event leading to an estimated 2.7°C warming towards the end of the century, the host, the United Kingdom, set the goal to keep a limit of 1.5°C warming within reach.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2021 - EP

Briefing - Revision of Regulation (EU) 913/2010 concerning a European rail network for competitive freight - 19-11-2021

Thu, 18 Nov 2021 23:00:00 GMT

Boosting rail freight transport is an essential pillar of the European Union's long-term policy to make transport more sustainable by cutting greenhouse gas emissions and decarbonising the sector. However, rail freight transport has faced numerous barriers in its development, and its growth is held back by its lack of competitiveness with other modes of transport such as road transport. Regulation (EU) 913/2010 was designed to facilitate rail freight transport across the EU rail network, through the creation of rail freight corridors, but the potential of those corridors has not been fully exploited. While the regulation was conducive to enhanced cooperation across borders, its implementation did not lead to an increase in rail freight transport along the corridors, with insufficient coordination on traffic management and infrastructure works. Against this backdrop, the Commission has launched a two-step revision process for Regulation (EU) 913/2010. The first step consists of a limited revision, in conjunction with a revision of the Trans-European Transport Network Regulation, focused on aspects of geographical alignment, governance and investment planning. The second step will be a wider revision leading to a recast proposal scheduled for the last quarter of 2022.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2021 - EP

Auf einen Blick - What if ecolabels could nudge us to choose greener food? - 11-11-2021

Wed, 10 Nov 2021 23:00:00 GMT

The way most food is produced is harming the planet. A profound change is needed, involving all agri-food actors. As consumers, we sit at the end of the agri-food chain. Our daily dietary choices implicitly support certain food systems, production methods and types of food. What could help us make better choices?

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2021 - EP

Briefing - Looking to Glasgow: A scene-setter ahead of COP26 - 15-10-2021

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 22:00:00 GMT

Adopted in 1992, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has gathered the nations of the world with the common goal to limit dangerous global warming. In December 2021, after having been postponed for a year due to the coronavirus crisis, world leaders will meet in Glasgow for the 26th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP26) to continue negotiations on the implementation of the Paris Agreement. The latest assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) underscores the of role human activities in causing global warming. The UNFCCC-commissioned IPCC special report on impacts of global warming of 1.5°C (SR1.5) also outlines the risks of current trajectories. There is therefore strong pressure on world leaders to deliver progress in Glasgow. Parties to the Paris Agreement were required to update their nationally determined contributions to fight climate change and its impacts before COP26. Some Parties are yet to do so, while analysis of submitted contributions as of July 2021, shows action to reach the agreed targets remains insufficient. Most key emitting nations continue to rate poorly on their climate action performance. While COP24 and COP25 both failed to finalise the Paris Agreement rulebook, and developed nations so far fall short of fulfilling their climate finance promises, expectations are mounting for Glasgow to finish the job. At the same time, Covid 19 restrictions and impacts continue to create challenges to participate in person, especially for developing countries' delegations. Recent Eurobarometer surveys show citizens have a clear expectation that their governments should handle the climate change challenge, with research also pointing to a growing acceptance of the need to change personal habits in view of transitioning to more sustainable economies. �Ϸ��վ will vote on a motion for a resolution on COP26 at the October II plenary session in Strasbourg. The draft highlights the urgency of action and calls upon leaders to ensure a just transition and adequate support for areas and states vulnerable to climate change impacts.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2021 - EP

Auf einen Blick - Klimakonferenz COP 26 in Glasgow - 13-10-2021

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 22:00:00 GMT

Vom 31. Oktober bis 12. November 2021 findet die 26. Konferenz der Vertragsparteien (COP26) des Rahmenübereinkommens der Vereinten Nationen über Klimaänderungen in Glasgow (Vereinigtes Königreich) statt, um das Regelwerk zur Umsetzung des Übereinkommens von Paris aus dem Jahr 2015 fertigzustellen und das weltweite Engagement für den Klimaschutz zu stärken. Im Europäischen Parlament hat der Ausschuss für Umweltfragen, öffentliche Gesundheit und Lebensmittelsicherheit einen Entschließungsantrag zur COP 26 vorgelegt, über den im Rahmen der Oktober‑II‑Plenartagung abgestimmt werden soll.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2021 - EP

Briefing - Japan's 2050 goal: A carbon-neutral society - 16-09-2021

Wed, 15 Sep 2021 22:00:00 GMT

In October 2020, Japan's Prime Minister, Suga Yoshihide, declared that by 2050 the country would aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero and to realise a carbon-neutral, decarbonised society. In December, the Cabinet adopted the green growth strategy, an industrial policy aimed at generating a virtuous cycle of economic growth and environmental protection, together with the business community. A €15.4 billion fund is to be created, to promote ecological businesses and innovation to achieve the goal, offering tax credit of up to 10 %. A carbon tax is being considered. The strategy recognises that it would be unrealistic to cover all electricity demand with renewables only. So, by 2050 Japan's energy mix will comprise renewable energy (50-60 %), hydrogen and ammonia (10 %), and energy generated by nuclear and thermal power plants (30-40 %). The strategy acknowledges that promoting electrification in all sectors will boost electricity demand by 30-50 %. To decarbonise electricity, in addition to using renewables and nuclear, Japan wants to further develop its hydrogen technology (in which it is a front-runner) in the direction of CCUS (carbon capture, utilisation and storage technology). It also wants to focus on tapping into the potential of ammonia. Meanwhile, prospects for nuclear are unclear, as the sector has been deeply impacted by the 2011 Fukushima disaster. Doubts have been raised about the technology necessary for achieving coal substitution and CCUS. Japanese business, while already engaged in innovation projects to achieve net-zero carbon emissions, has expressed reservations about some elements of the strategy and the proposed carbon tax. Japan is actively involved in international cooperation on green technologies and could be an ideal partner to the EU, which, through its European Green Deal (EGD), also aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. During their May 2021 summit, the EU and Japan adopted the declaration ‘Towards a Green Alliance to protect our environment, stop climate change and achieve green growth’.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2021 - EP

Auf einen Blick - President Biden's climate summit - 03-05-2021

Sun, 02 May 2021 22:00:00 GMT

On 22 and 23 April 2021, United States (US) President Joe Biden convened a virtual summit of 40 world leaders in a bid to galvanise global efforts to address the climate crisis. There he announced new targets of cutting US net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 'between 26 and 28 %' by 2025, and by 'between 50 and 52 %' by 2030, compared with 2005 levels. Biden also announced initiatives to help developing countries decarbonise, and encouraged other countries to match US ambition. The summit, one of a number of events leading up to the (delayed) 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow (United Kingdom) in November 2021, prompted several other countries to pledge new targets. The EU has welcomed the new US targets, but questions remain about their level of ambition and feasibility.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2021 - EP