The 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) is taking place from 30 November to 12 December 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). This year’s edition is particularly important, as 2023 is officially the hottest year on record, but giving the presidency of the COP to the UAE left many disgruntled and wary of greenwashing. 

The EU and its 27 Member States are attending the event, as parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In its position for the climate summit adopted in October, the Council of the European Union highlighted the necessity of a global phase-out of unabated fossil fuels, with the energy sector free of fossil fuels before mid-century. Additionally, the successful conduct of the first Global Stocktake, aiming to provide an overall picture of the implementation progress of the Paris Agreement, was emphasised as a crucial milestone. Also, a delegation of 15 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) is attending to promote the position of the European Parliament: an end of all direct and indirect fossil fuel subsidies, at national, EU and global levels, by 2025 the latest, among other key demands. 

During the World Climate Action Summit on 2 December 2023, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen launched the Global Pledge on Renewables and Energy Efficiency in collaboration with the COP28 Presidency and 118 countries. The initiative aims to triple global renewable energy capacity to at least 11 terawatts and double the rate of global energy efficiency improvements to 4% annually by 2030, fostering the transition to a decarbonised energy system and phasing out unabated fossil fuels. Notably, the pledge provides a framework for benchmarking improvements, though China has not yet joined, and Mexico decided to join at the last minute.

Another key initiative launched at the event includes the global pledge of over $400 million to establish a loss and damage fund for climate disaster victims, with EU member states committing at least €225 million. 

Key texts 

• European Commission: Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge 
• European Parliament: Resolution on the UN Climate Change Conference 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (COP28) 
• Council of the European Union: Conclusions on the preparation for the COP28  

Upcoming events 

• 12 December 2023: Closing day of COP28 
• 18 December 2023: Environment Council 
• 11 January 2024: ENVI Committee meeting 

European Movement International’s Position 

In our policy position on the European Green Deal (EGD), we emphasise the EGD’s potential to stimulate profound societal and economic shifts in Europe and pave the way towards a carbon-neutral, resilient economy while preserving and restoring biodiversity and ecosystems. It is crucial to ensure that the EU fully harnesses the growing awareness among Europeans and the readiness of civil society to support Europe in achieving green, digital, and social transition goals. 

Firstly, European decision-makers need to commit to an ambitious and comprehensive framework that permeates all policy areas and induces investment in sustainable solutions to transform production, consumption and behaviour patterns in Europe. It is also crucial that the EU complies with the Aarhus Convention, to empower citizens and civil society organisations by granting them legal access to information, participation in decision-making, and access to justice in environmental matters. 

Secondly, we call upon the EU to match its climate-neutrality commitment with an equally ambitious effort to increase the energy efficiency target to at least 45%, with at least half of the energy sourced from sustainable renewable energy by 2030, considering embodied energy in materials and imports. By enshrining the benchmarks for 2050 and interim targets in EU legislation, the European Climate Law should help guide public and private investment towards renewable energies and energy-efficient solutions and further the phase-out of fossil fuels.  

Thirdly, by adapting its terms for international trade, the EU must ensure that the EGD’s goals are reflected in its trade relations with third countries and its engagement in multilateral organisations, such as the United Nations (UN) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO). By highlighting how the implementation and enforcement of the Sustainable Development Golas (SDGs) need to be linked with the social implications of the transition, the EU should use international partnerships and deals to amplify the voices of marginalised and politically underrepresented groups at the global level, in particular young people.