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EU makes too little of its ambitious goals / No collapse of the negotiations despite international crises and high energy prices / First steps on Loss and Damage are unsatisfactory - as largest emitter does not participate


"For me, the overall result is disappointing," commented Dr. Peter Liese (CDU), the spokesperson for environmental policy of the largest group in the European Parliament after the Sharm El-Sheikh climate summit. "It has not been possible to bring the states of the world on a course that avoids dangerous tipping points in the climate system. To do this, we would have to get well below 2 degrees, as agreed in Paris. This goal is increasingly out of reach. The final document says something about 1.5 degrees, but I lack the imagination to see how we can still achieve that. Nevertheless, it is right to continue pushing for climate protection. Every ton of CO2 we save reduces the risk of dangerous tipping points," Liese explained.

"It is positive that the climate process has not collapsed despite the current international crises and high energy prices. Also, having the U.S. and China talking to each other again on climate change issues allows for progress in the future. The agreement on Loss and Damage is not a historic breakthrough for me because much still needs to be clarified. Above all, I find it disappointing that the largest emitter in the world, namely China, is not standing by its responsibility."

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The European Union must increase its climate target to over 57% and put more pressure on other industrialised nations/ Partnership to stop deforestation of rainforest after election in Brazil


"The European Union can and must further increase its climate target, which is already very ambitious with 55%, to create an overall dynamic that will allow us to reach the Paris climate goal. We also need to seize the opportunity of Bolsonaro's defeat in Brazil and build global partnerships to protect the rainforest," said Dr Peter Liese, environment spokesperson of the largest political group in the European Parliament (EPP/Christian Democrats), on the occasion of the start of the climate change conference in Sharm-el-Sheikh.

"Our climate target is the most ambitious target ever presented by a major emitter. The comparison with the US in particular is impressive. Even if President Biden achieves his target and reduces emissions by 50% by 2030 compared to 2005, Americans will still emit 2.5 times more emissions per capita than Europeans.

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Trilogue on ETS with concrete results but only small movement on big issues / European Union agrees that CCU and direct air capture are an important part of climate policy / Companies that decarbonise should still get free allowances and be rewarded for the investment by that / Not enough spirit of compromise from the Council and not enough engagement from Timmermans


“In a third trilogue, negotiators of the European Parliament, European Council and European Commission agreed on some important elements on the revision of the European emissions trading scheme”, said the rapporteur of the Parliament, Peter Liese.

“Among other things, we agreed on a much stricter wording on international climate finance. Some member states are already using the revenues from the ETS to contribute to their obligation at international level but others are falling very short compared to their obligations, for example, from Glasgow last year. We have now fixed legally that member states need to report on the obligations that they have in this respect such as their strong commitment to continue scaling up their international climate finance towards the developed countries´ goal of mobilising at least USD 100 billion per year as soon as possible and that they substantially increase their efforts in this respect. I think it is an important signal to the international community that gathers in Sharm El Sheikh. Climate finance is the big issue here and it is very important that the revenues from the ETS don’t just disappear in the normal budget but are spent on purpose. Climate finance is one if the elements. Our ETS and in particular CBAM will be more acceptable for third countries if we clearly commit that the money is also spent on the international agenda.”

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The European Union and other industrialized countries must now react wisely / "Fit for 55" contribution to global climate protection / EU will raise climate targets and increase pressure on other major emitters / Partnerships to stop the rainforest deforestation


"The electoral success of Lula da Silva in Brazil is a huge opportunity for climate protection. It will perhaps be the last chance to still meet the Paris climate targets and thus avoiding dangerous tipping points. The European Union and the other industrialized countries must now react wisely to seize this opportunity," stated the spokesperson for environmental policy of the largest group in the European Parliament, Dr. Peter Liese (EPP Christian Democrats).

"In contrast to previous elections, the issue of deforestation of the rainforest has played a prominent role in this campaign. Even though it was a close result - the winner's name is Lula da Silva,  who clearly announced during his campaign that he would drastically tighten measures to protect the rainforest. This is a huge opportunity, and we should seize it together with the global community. Only if the deforestation of the rainforests is stopped will we have a realistic chance of achieving the Paris climate agreements of keeping global warming well below 2 degrees and, if possible, limiting it to 1.5 degrees.

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