Stepping up global climate action together: our future, our choice

“Climate action offers a compelling path to transform our world for the better”: these were the opening words of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres at the opening ceremony of the 24th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Katowice (COP24). And the week before, G20 leaders confirmed in their Buenos Aires declaration that “a strong economy and a healthy planet are mutually reinforcing”.

As COP24 convenes and the G20 builds consensus on fair and sustainable development, the EU is sending strong signals to the global community, which Orgalime – representing Europe’s technology industries – can only welcome.

Not only has the EU signed off three further critical files of its comprehensive Clean Energy Package this week, but it has also arrived well equipped in Katowice with its fresh-off-the-press “2050 EU long-term strategy vision for greenhouse gas emission reduction – A Clean Planet for All”, which envisions a prosperous, modern, competitive and climate-neutral economy.

Europe’s technology industries believe that the EU 2050 long-term strategy communication represents a strong basis for further dialogue on the way towards the EU becoming among the first to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century, leading the way forward worldwide. This is in the interest of citizens, the planet and industry alike – and the time to act is now.

Our industries have provided and implemented solutions that, within the EU’s existing framework, contribute to the significant results already achieved. We will continue to do so in line with the 2030 framework. Not only will the coming decade be critical for getting the world back on track, the implementation of the Paris Agreement through taking concrete actions needs to accelerate. Orgalime recommends prioritising action where it is most certain to deliver emissions reduction, where it is most beneficial and least costly.

Download the position paper to read our detailed recommendations for stepping up climate action together.