“Check against delivery”

 

President Lula,

Secretary-General Guterres,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Ten years have passed since we adopted the Paris Agreement. Since then, the world has changed. Let me give just three figures: Since Paris, renewable energy has increased by 140%. Investment in clean energy has increased by almost 80%. And carbon pricing in countries has doubled from 40 to 80. The clean transition is moving on.

Let me assure you: Europe will stay the course on our climate ambition. Our emissions are down nearly 40% since 1990. They now represent only 6% of global emissions. We are on track to reach our 2030 target and cut emissions by 55%. And I am happy to announce that last week, Member States agreed that our Nationally Determined Contribution would range between 66% and 72%. So work is advancing. We will formally submit our NDC ahead of COP30.

But in parallel we are also looking ahead. We are working on a 2040 target, of a proposed 90% emission reduction. That is our way to climate neutrality by 2050. And my message is that the world can count on the EUs continued climate leadership. My second point: We are doubling down on global partnerships. Because the question is no longer if the transition will occur and how fast, but who will benefit. Europes answer is clear: all countries, worldwide, should reap its benefits, especially the most vulnerable. That is why we will remain the worlds largest providers of climate finance. In addition, we will mobilise up to EUR 300 billion to support the clean transition worldwide through our Global Gateway, and we will turn our collective agreement to triple renewable energy by 2030 into a reality. We are implementing this agreement through projects. We support for example over 300 million people in Africa, to give them access electricity and clean cooking. This is not only a climate issue. This is about basic human dignity. Because no mother, no child should die because simply cooking dinner under abhorrent circumstances.

Ladies and gentlemen,

President Lula will soon welcome us to the Amazon, the green lungs of our planet. There could be no better place to re-affirm our strong commitment to multilateralism, so let us get it done.

Thank you.