Speech by President von der Leyen at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow
Dear President, fellow leaders,
I know all of us in this room want to be on the right side of history.
This is why I call on all of us
to do what is necessary
for keeping the limit of 1,5° C warming within reach.
This is our opportunity to write history.
More than that, it is our duty.
Europe will spare no effort to become the first climate neutral continent.
But at this COP,
we all must speed up our race to net zero.
First, we have to give strong commitments to reduce emissions by 2030;
Net zero by 2050 is good, but not enough.
We need real action during this decade.
Second,
we need to agree on a robust framework of rules,
for example to make global carbon markets a reality.
And point number 3:
we must mobilize climate finance
for supporting vulnerable countries
to adapt and leapfrog to clean growth.
The EU will fully contribute
to achieve our global goals on adaptation.
With close to 27 billion dollar in 2020,
Team Europe is already the largest provider of climate finance.
Almost half of our finance is for adaptation or for both adaptation and mitigation.
We have pledged an additional 5 billion dollars up to 2027 from the EU budget.
And we will double our funding for biodiversity,
especially in vulnerable countries.
Fellow leaders,
ladies and gentlemen,
the eyes of the world are on us.
This Glasgow COP is a moment of truth for the global community.
We must make it a success.
We owe this to our children!
Dear President, fellow leaders,
I know all of us in this room want to be on the right side of history.
This is why I call on all of us
to do what is necessary
for keeping the limit of 1,5° C warming within reach.
This is our opportunity to write history.
More than that, it is our duty.
Europe will spare no effort to become the first climate neutral continent.
But at this COP,
we all must speed up our race to net zero.
First, we have to give strong commitments to reduce emissions by 2030;
Net zero by 2050 is good, but not enough.
We need real action during this decade.
Second,
we need to agree on a robust framework of rules,
for example to make global carbon markets a reality.
And point number 3:
we must mobilize climate finance
for supporting vulnerable countries
to adapt and leapfrog to clean growth.
The EU will fully contribute
to achieve our global goals on adaptation.
With close to 27 billion dollar in 2020,
Team Europe is already the largest provider of climate finance.
Almost half of our finance is for adaptation or for both adaptation and mitigation.
We have pledged an additional 5 billion dollars up to 2027 from the EU budget.
And we will double our funding for biodiversity,
especially in vulnerable countries.
Fellow leaders,
ladies and gentlemen,
the eyes of the world are on us.
This Glasgow COP is a moment of truth for the global community.
We must make it a success.
We owe this to our children!