Today Serbia has announced its contribution to the Paris climate agreement. The emission reduction the country is planning to achieve are far below the EU’s target. According to Climate Action Network Europe, this undermines prospects of Serbia’s EU accession.
Read more: Serbia’s climate action plan undermines prospects of its EU accession
EU Energy Ministers meeting in Brussels today recognised “indigenous resources” – codename for nuclear, shale gas and coal – as one of the key drivers of European energy security. According to Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe, it is high time for the Ministers to take their pick and clearly acknowledge that the EU's energy dependency can only be tackled in a safe and sustainable manner through energy efficiency and renewables.
Read more: EU Energy Ministers confused about solutions to Europe's energy dependence
CAN Europe is asking for more ambition in the fight against climate change and a 100% renewables target by 2050.
Read more: G7: Recognizing need for full decarbonization, but falling short on action to achieve it
Climate and energy issues are on the agenda of the upcoming G7 Summit in Schloss Elmau, Germany. Chancellor Merkel has reserved the Monday morning (8 June from 0900 to 1030) for discussing the topics, as climate change is one of the key agenda items for her G7 Presidency. In particular, Merkel wants the G7 to contribute to the international climate negotiations in the run up to the UN climate summit in Paris, in December 2015.
With Japan's cabinet agreeing on its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution today, now all G7 countries have announced their commitments to the Paris climate agreement to be signed at the end of the year. Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe's analysis reveals that these commitments will in 2025 deliver only 19% of emission reductions in comparison to 1990. This is well below the 25%-40% reduction range that rich countries needed to commit to for 2020, if the world is to stay below 2°C increase of temperature and prevent a catastrophic change of the climate.
Read more: G7 climate pledges not in line with climate science