14 October 2013: The Council of the EU adopted conclusions in preparation for the 19th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 19) to the UNFCCC and the ninth session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP 9), which will take place in Warsaw, Poland, from 11-22 November 2013.

In its conclusions, the Council notes the latest findings of Working Group I of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and underlines that authoritative reports warn against the devastating consequences of current greenhouse gas (GHG) emission trends if left unchecked. It reiterates the need for emissions to peak in 2020 at the latest, be reduced by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 1990 levels, and continue to decline thereafter.

It recalls the emission reductions achieved by the EU and its member States, and indicates their determination to complete the process of ratification of the Doha amendment to the Kyoto Protocol as soon as possible.

On climate finance, it affirms that the EU and its member States have committed to scaling up the mobilization of climate finance in order to contribute to reaching the goal of mobilizing US$100 billion per year by 2020. On Warsaw deliverables, the Council indicates its determination to advance work under the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action (ADP).

On implementation, the Council calls for a multilaterally-agreed common robust monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) framework, and accounting rules to ensure environmental integrity and avoid double-counting. It further reiterates the importance of existing and new market-based mechanisms to support greater mitigation ambition. The Council also calls for agreeing the necessary modalities and procedures for REDD+ to support the scaling up of action in this sector.

On adaptation, the Council indicates its determination to strengthen international action on adaptation and identify concrete areas for action for the 2015 agreement. It also reiterates its commitment to continue constructive discussions on approaches to address loss and damage in Warsaw.

The Council emphasizes the need for ministerial engagement on pre-2020 mitigation ambition in Warsaw, and reaffirms that developed countries should collectively reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 25-40% below 1990 levels by 2020, while developing countries should collectively achieve a substantial deviation below the currently predicted emissions growth rate, in the order of 15 to 30% by 2020.

The Conclusions also address: the phase down of HFCs under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer; global emission reduction targets for international aviation and maritime transport; the design, scope and structure of the 2015 agreement; capacity building; the UN Secretary General’s Climate Summit in September 2014; the role of managing climate change within the post-2015 agenda; outreach and cooperation activities.[The Council Conclusions] [Council Press Release]