Ahead of COP31: EU Champions Climate Action in Face of Global Challenges
16 October 2026, New York – At a pivotal gathering organized by the President of the General Assembly just before COP31, the European Union and its Member States presented a united front, emphasizing their commitment to climate action amidst rising geopolitical tensions and growing climate impacts.
Check against delivery
EU’s Climate Commitment Amidst Geopolitical Tensions
The European Union has reiterated its steadfast support for the Paris Agreement, highlighting it as the most effective defense against the detrimental effects of climate change. Despite the challenging geopolitical landscape and increasing pressures on multilateralism, the EU remains optimistic about the Agreement’s potential in averting disastrous global warming scenarios.
A recent UNEP report titled Limiting Overshoot serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to prevent surpassing the 1.5°C global warming threshold. The EU calls for rapid, comprehensive, and sustained reductions in global emissions, underscoring the necessity of staying as close as possible to this critical limit.
COP31: A Crucial Milestone for Multilateral Climate Action
With COP31 just around the corner, the EU stresses the importance of demonstrating that multilateral climate action is both credible and effective. The event should reflect tangible progress since the first Global Stocktake and lay the groundwork for future achievements.
Guiding Priorities for the European Union
The EU has identified five key priorities to guide their approach:
- Upholding Science: Decisions and ambitions should be grounded in the best available science, particularly insights from the IPCC. Timely delivery of IPCC reports is crucial to inform the second Global Stocktake.
- Maintaining Momentum on Implementation: Full execution of the first Global Stocktake and robust delivery on post-2030 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are essential. The EU calls on all parties yet to submit their NDCs to align them with a 1.5°C pathway.
- Focusing on Clean Energy Transition: The transition to clean energy is vital not only for climate action but also for energy security and economic resilience. The EU supports initiatives such as the Electrify Now campaign and stresses the need to triple renewable energy and double energy efficiency.
- Progressing Across Mandates: Strengthening the Mitigation Work Programme beyond 2026 and agreeing on a Just Transition Mechanism are pivotal for supporting decarbonization strategies and integrating just transition considerations into NDCs.
- Improving UNFCCC Efficiency: Enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the UNFCCC regime is necessary in light of increased demands and constrained resources. Ensuring a safe and unhindered civic space at COP31 is also emphasized.
Call to Action for Global Climate Finance
With the anticipated overshoot of the 1.5°C temperature goal, a paradigm shift in adaptation and resilience delivery is imperative. The EU is committed to operationalizing the Global Goal on Adaptation with a focus on water and food security and critical infrastructure. Additionally, the EU urges global partners to contribute to the New Collective Quantified Goal for climate finance, emphasizing the need for practical progress in tracking delivery and mobilizing investment at scale.
Looking Towards COP31
As the global community prepares for COP31, the EU stresses the necessity of unity, early engagement, and stronger partnerships. Entrusting Türkiye and Australia as COP31 co-presidencies, the EU is optimistic that they will lead an open, transparent, and inclusive process, respecting the sovereign equality of all UN Member States. The European Union stands ready to collaborate with all parties to ensure the success of COP31.
Thank you.
Original Story at www.eeas.europa.eu