Schilling on climate conference Resolution: Every millimeter of climate ambition must be fought hard for

On Monday, the European Parliament’s Environment Committee agreed on a common position on the climate conference (COP 29) in Baku.

Lena Schilling, MEP and negotiator for the Greens/EFA, points to difficult negotiations and says: “The difficult negotiations on the COP resolution have shown that we will have to fight hard for every millimeter of climate ambition over the next five years.

We have found a clear formulation of the appalling human rights situation in Azerbaijan and urge EU negotiators to negotiate ambitious financing targets that reflect the needs of developing countries.

But without its own clear climate goals, the EU will receive less trust from other states at the climate conference and weaken its own negotiating position. The fact that the EPP did not want to commit to the minimum target of -90% emissions by 2040 is, in my opinion, irresponsible. But even worse would have been the proposals of the right-wing extremist climate deniers, who do not want to reverse any climate protection measures and all the progress the EU has made so far.

That’s why I support the compromise between the progressive and pro-European groups – if the negotiations between the new majorities have shown one thing, it’s that we have to fight even harder for our climate.”

The common position is expected to be voted on in the plenary session of the EU Parliament on Thursday, November 14th.