European Parliament delegation joins COP29 climate talks | News

An official delegation led by Chair Lídia Pereira (EPP, PT) and Vice-Chair Mohammed Chahim (S&D, NL) is in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 18-22 November to participate in the UN COP29 Climate Change Conference.

The European Parliament adopted its demands ahead of this year’s global climate talks on 14 November 2024. At COP29, MEPs will meet with ministers, parliamentarians, civil society representatives, leaders of international climate organisations and other delegates.

A joint press conference with delegation Chair Lídia Pereira and Climate Action Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra is scheduled for Wednesday 20 November at 14.00 AZT (11.00 CET), in Press Conference Room 1 (Karabakh), Area D. It can be followed live here.

Quotes

“To make tangible progress on global climate action, we need a true collective effort and more action from all countries. The situation has changed since the 1990s – while the EU has more than halved its share of global emissions to 6% in 2023, emissions from major emerging economies continue to rise and a country like China now has historical emissions on par with the EU. If we want an ambitious climate finance goal, then all high-GDP, high-emission major and emerging economies, like China and Saudi Arabia, should contribute financially to the post-2025 goal, which we hope to agree on in Baku. We also want the EU to step up its green diplomacy. We should encourage and support other countries to introduce or improve carbon pricing mechanisms similar to the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), and also expand the scope of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), in a constructive dialogue with third countries. The EU can help create an international level playing field, avoid carbon leakage and increase public support for climate action,” Lídia Pereira, Chair of the delegation, said.

“As many world leaders decide not to participate in COP29, it is vital to remember that climate change does not wait for the perfect setting or audience. This makes the presence of the European Parliament’s delegation here all the more significant. The EU must demonstrate leadership in driving global climate solutions. Establishing a new international goal on climate financing is essential – one that matches the urgency of the crisis while ensuring fairness in sharing its burdens. Only through collective action and equitable burden-sharing can we fulfil the ambitions of the Paris Agreement,” Mohammed Chahim, Vice-Chair of the delegation, said.

Background

COP29 takes place from 11-22 November 2024 in Baku (Azerbaijan). It aims to provide an overview of current progress on the Paris Agreement and agree on new financial resources to support global climate action.