Need for a global response

Frans Timmermans

Just a few months ago, all nations agreed to keep temperature rise at 1.5 degrees and we concluded the rules that allow us to implement the Paris Agreement. In many ways, COP26 was the moment where the world started to move from ambition to action.

We got there thanks to multilateralism, thanks to the stubborn commitment of almost 200 countries who worked hard to find agreement. We came to an agenda that has given me hope. Hope that I can tell my kids, my grandson and soon my granddaughter: ‘we are doing this, for you, and we can actually achieve it.’ I think that Glasgow also proved that the multilateral system works. That this is the way to build stronger, more diverse and more inclusive partnerships. The way to provide a joint response to the challenges of today and those of tomorrow. Now, this is not to say that the multilateral system works flawlessly. We all know that there are areas where the system is not or no longer ‘fit for purpose’.

This is why the European Union continues to support reform efforts. We will promote the modernisation of the World Health Organisation and the World Trade Organisation and other key institutions. We will also push for the development of new global norms and cooperation platforms on taxation, circular economy, Artificial Intelligence.

Looking back at COP26, I think it was a clear success for the global community. We agreed to end coal and fossil fuel subsidies, we put in place clear rules for transparent reporting of emissions and carbon markets. and we committed to increase our work on adaptation and adaptation finance.

Developed nations failed to mobilise the 100 billion dollars in climate finance that was committed. We are however on track to reach that goal by next year.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, COP26 gave us a shot at keeping global warming well below 2°C. And, if all pledges are fully implemented, the path could even bring us to 1.8°C.

But 1.8°C is not 1.5°C. There is still a lot of work ahead to keep the commitment we made in Glasgow: So, our task is to continue working together to implement concrete domestic policies, and ensure that every party submits an NDC that is in line with the 1.5°C target.

I think that in many ways India was also a key player at COP26. Prime Minister Modi’s announcement of a 2070 net zero target was very positive. This target will help to steer India’s own green transition.

India has always walked the talk and we are therefore looking forward to the further plans for your green transition. Submitting an updated Nationally Determined Contribution and a long-term strategy would enable India to take a leading role in the delivery of the Glasgow agreement, and make your country a global example. On several areas, India is already there. The commitment to install 500GW of renewable energy by 2030 is a prime example of India’s global leadership.

The European Union and India are already working together for the green transition. The International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure are two examples of our cooperation so far. Over the coming months, I hope to continue the discussion started at COP26 on phasing out coal and ensuring a just transition.

(Frans Timmermans is Executive Vice-President of the European Commission)