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04
Dec 2018
COP24: The EU brings in a bold 2050 climate neutrality vision
Only a few days after adopting a bold climate neutrality vision for 2050, EU leaders arrived in Katowice with a clear objective for COP24: the adoption of clear rules to implement the Paris Agreement.
In “A Clean Planet for All”, the European Commission’s aims to make the EU compatible with the goals of the Paris Agreement, and to catalyse a profound societal and economic transformation.
Climate neutrality means achieving net-zero GHG emissions, i.e. a balance between emissions and removals (e.g. through carbon sinks such as forests, soils, wetlands, etc.) of greenhouse gases.
Local action is seen as a key pillar in a European enabling framework for the long-term transformation. Cities have a critical role to drive building renovation and sustainable mobility through e.g. better spatial and urban planning.
"Regional governments and cities, with their impact on economic, spatial, environmental planning and energy provision challenges, are increasingly drivers of the energy transition and becoming resilient."
The strategy also calls for an improved coordination with national, regional and local governments in order to allow for a well-managed, socially fair and just transition that leaves no one behind.
With this bold vision in their luggage, EU leaders have set themselves a clear objective for COP24: they want to leave Katowice with clear rules on how to reach the Paris Agreement targets.
COP24
Follow the EU and Covenant of Mayors' COP24 action on Twitter: @eumayors
#EU2050 - Global Covenant of Mayors event: 10 December / @eumayors @Mayors4Climate
EU Energy Day: 11 December / #EUEnergyDay @Energy4europe
EU 2050 climate strategy
The Commission’s strategy for a climate-neutral Europe by 2050 – Communication