SPEAKERS

Jacob Werksman, Principal Adviser, DG CLIMA, European Commission

Ulriikka Aarnio, International Climate Policy Coordinator, Climate Action Network Europe

Sofía López Piqueres, Policy Analyst, European Policy Centre (Moderator)


Scientists’ warnings are alarming: the world has 10 years to act, if we hope to keep the average global temperature increase to within 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels. The world is currently on a warming trajectory of 4ºC, which would have grave implications for humanity and for the planet.
 
This is the challenge for the next UN Climate Summit - the 25th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP25) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change - which will be held in Madrid under the presidency of Chile from 2 to 13 December 2019. The conference’s motto “Time for Action” highlights the imperative for all countries to scale up their efforts and put forward more ambitious commitments. Governments are expected to lay the foundations for a future global carbon pricing model. There will be a review of the Warsaw International Mechanism that is used to analyse actions to deal with the losses and immediate damage related to climate change. Additionally, the parties are expected to reflect on topics such as the role of the oceans, ecosystems and forests and biodiversity in combating climate change, as well as the importance of electromobility, renewable energies and the circular economy in the quest to achieve carbon neutrality.
 
This Policy Dialogue will discuss the outcomes of the Madrid Conference, the role of the EU in the negotiations and the likely next steps.