Next COP ahead: Europe has work to do

Abstract

International climate negotiations at the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow were surprisingly productive. The Glasgow Climate Pact adds new tasks to the already full climate agendas of the European Union and its member states. Euro­pean policy makers will need to focus even more on limiting the long-term temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius and to secure adequate commitments and action by the biggest global greenhouse gas emitters - all before the next COP in Egypt (COP27) at the end of 2022. Climate financing also needs to be secured in a manner that gener­ates trust on the part of the developing countries. Germany's G7 presidency in 2022 will be crucial for accelerating international climate cooperation. The German gov­ernment must also work to involve the G20 states and push to speed up adoption of the European Union's Fit for 55 package. (author's abstract)