26 November 2014: The European Parliament adopted a resolution stating that the climate change talks being held in Lima, Peru, should pave the way for negotiators to adopt an agreement in 2015 that will limit global average temperatures to warming of less than 2°C. The resolution calls for a 2015 agreement that aims to phase out global carbon emissions by 2050 and reiterates that the European Union (EU) is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 80-95% below 1990 levels by 2050.

In the resolution, the European Parliament calls for countries to come forward with intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs) that are in line with keeping warming below 2°C by the end of March 2015, in accordance with the previously agreed timeline. They further call “on the Lima Conference to agree up-front information requirements so that INDCs are transparent, quantifiable and comparable – and differentiated according to the type of contribution.”

Among the issues addressed related to pre-2020 ambition and the Kyoto Protocol, the resolution reiterates the EU’s offer to increase its emissions reduction goal to 30% by 2020 if other major emitters agree to similar targets. On climate finance, the resolution calls on EU member states to, inter alia: announce their financial contributions well in advance of UN climate change conferences; better coordinate these announcements with the EU; and “step up funding” for climate measures by capitalizizing the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

The resolution also address adaptation, expressing disappointment that, while financing in this area is increasing, it is dwarfed by government expenditures on fossil fuel subsidies worldwide. It also acknowledges the need to address loss and damage and fully implement the Warsaw decisions on this issue.

The resolution further outlines the importance of emissions reductions in the energy, land, aviation, maritime transport and industrial sectors, in addition to phasing out hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

Reflecting on the EU’s role in climate diplomacy, the resolution states that the EU’s credibility in the upcoming negotiations “depends on the ambition of its domestic action.” [European Parliament Press Release] [European Parliament Resolution] [European Commission Press Release] [European Commission Fact Sheet on Lima Climate Change Conference]