EU Not Invited to United Nations Climate Summit Without Preparation or Contributions
The European Union (EU) finds itself in an unusual position, as it is not included in the provisional lineup of world leaders for a Sept. 24 summit to announce new climate targets. This summit, convened by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, is a crucial event for announcements of new goals for cuts to climate pollution required under the 2015 Paris Agreement.
The U.N. official has emphasized the EU's role as a global leader in climate policy and encouraged them to continue in this role. Despite the EU's absence, it appears the bloc is working on their Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), as the U.N. official signaled the EU might be given a pass and that the bloc is expected to have 'something' to announce on Sept. 24.
The EU has been a longtime leader of global climate news and diplomacy, but recent developments have cast doubt on its future leadership. EU ministers have been locked in talks over a 'statement of intent,' which they hope the EU might deliver instead of a hard target for greenhouse gas emissions reduction. The failure to agree on a plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2035, known as a nationally determined contribution (NDC) in U.N. parlance, has caused concern among climate advocates.
The Sept. 24 summit specifically targets announcements of new climate goals, and the absence of the EU would be extraordinary. Other world leaders, such as China (the largest polluter) and Russia, are on the list and expected to announce new climate targets. Notably, the U.S., which has walked away from global climate efforts, was also not on the list.
India is not on the list for the Sept. 24 summit. The European Commission, however, announced on September 24 that it would present a new target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions for the EU block after the EU Parliament failed to agree on reduction goals by 2035. The U.S., which was not on the list, has previously walked away from global climate efforts.
The European Commission did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The significance of the EU's absence at the Sept. 24 summit is heightened by its historical leadership in global climate news, and the world waits to see what the EU will bring to the table in the fight against climate change.
This article was reported by Karl Mathiesen from London and Sara Schonhardt from Washington.
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