COP20 Climate change talks: EP delegation to attend Lima summit

A 12-strong delegation of MEPs will take part in the UN climate conference in Lima, Peru, from Monday to Friday. The 20th Conference of Parties (COP20) aims to set out the structure of a global and binding climate agreement to be concluded in Paris in 2015. In a resolution voted last month, the European Parliament reiterated the EU commitment to getting on track for a below 2°C climate warming scenario, and pledged to step up European contributions to the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

Delegation MEPs will meet, among others, the Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Christiana Figueres and the chair of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Rajendra Kumar Pachauri. They will discuss issues with key negotiators and meet counterparts from other parliaments, as well as local and international NGO representatives.

“In Lima, our challenge will be to convince all Parties and other stakeholders that we all need to agree on and implement an ambitious climate policy, first and foremost in order to save our planet, but also to create jobs and foster sustainable growth” said delegation chair Giovanni La Via (EPP, IT). “This requires stepping up our efforts within the international community. Success has been achieved on the EU targets for greenhouse gas emission reductions, but we have to make sure that this happens internationally too” he added.

“Paris alliance” needed ahead of 2015

“Until now the United States and China have been blocking the way, but it seems that they now take climate change more seriously. As the biggest world polluters, their contribution will be crucial” said delegation vice-chair Jo Leinen (S&D, DE).

"However, the EU must remain on the front line and broker the best possible deal. So Lima and Paris next year will test EU diplomacy. A sort of 'Paris alliance' for a legally binding climate deal should be established in order to guarantee success”, he added.

Press conference, EP side event

Delegation chair Giovanni La Via will hold a joint press conference with EU Climate and Energy commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete on Wednesday, 10 December 11.00h (Lima, PET) 17.00h (Brussels, CET). The event will be webstreamed. The delegation will also hold a public “side event” with high-level panellists on climate finance on Wednesday, 13.00 PET, 19.00 CET.

Lima meeting

COP 20 is the 20th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The COPs is the supreme decision-making body of the Convention. All governments that are party to the Convention are represented at the COPs, where they review and promote the implementation of the Convention.

Delegation members

Mr Giovanni LA VIA (EPP) - Chairman of the delegation

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  Mr Jo LEINEN (S&D) - Vice-Chairman of the delegation

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  Mr Jerzy BUZEK (EPP)

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  Mr Karl-Heinz FLORENZ (EPP)

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  Ms Elisabetta GARDINI (EPP)

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  Mr Seb DANCE (S&D)

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  Ms Kathleen VAN BREMPT (S&D)

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  Mr Ian DUNCAN (ECR)

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  Mr Gerben-Jan GERBRANDY (ALDE)

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  Ms Merja KYLLONEN (GUE/NGL)

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  Mr Bas EICKHOUT (GREENS/EFA)

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  Mr Valentinas MAZURONIS (EFDD)

REF. : 20141204IPR82836

Updated: ( 05-12-2014 - 11:35)