International Climate Conference Snubs EU Absence of Participants
The European Union (EU) has been left off a provisional lineup for world leaders set to announce new climate targets at the upcoming summit on September 24. The summit, convened by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, is designated for announcements of new goals for cuts to climate pollution required under the 2015 Paris Agreement.
Despite the EU's absence from the provisional lineup, an anonymous U.N. official stated that the EU takes climate seriously and is working on their Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), a goal required under the Paris Agreement. The official signaled that the EU might be given a pass to announce a new target at the September summit.
However, the EU has been internally divided and failed to agree on an NDC. The new EU target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 was adopted by the EU, but without a unified agreement within the bloc. The European Commission did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Meanwhile, the U.S., which has walked away from global efforts, was also not on the list. Russia was on the list, and China, the largest polluter, was expected to announce a new target. Interestingly, India was not afforded a platform at the September summit.
Karl Mathiesen reported from London, and Sara Schonhardt reported from Washington. The U.N. official expressed confidence that the EU would continue to be a global leader in climate efforts, despite the current internal divisions. The EU's absence from the provisional lineup would be extraordinary, but the U.N. official's statement suggests that the EU may still play a significant role in the upcoming climate summit.
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