The EU getting the picture right with COP21 infographics

By agreenerlifeagreenerworld on December 9, 2015 • ( Leave a comment )

By Katie Morrey

Image of Jean-Claude Junker, European Commission President. Credit to European People’s Party, on Flickr.

The European Commission’s (EU) statistical office (EUROSTAT) has published a set of infographics in preparation for COP21.

The infographics outline the current situation in the EU; of how different sectors contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel consumption among others.

The European Commission had outlined their position ahead of COP21 starting, particularly noting that it was vitally important to reach a fair, ambitious and legally binding global climate deal. It hopes this will accelerate a global shift towards low-carbon, climate resilient economies and help to increase society’s’ efforts in sustainable developments, both in the EU and globally.

Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has said “We were the first to table our climate pledge in March and it is still the most ambitious contribution. Our goal of holding global temperature rise below 2°C by the end of the century is still within reach.”

For the EU, the new agreement that will be made at COP21 must send a clear signal of government’s’ resolve to reduce emissions sufficiently to keep temperature increases below the agreed limit of 2oc above the pre-industrial levels.

Climate Action and Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete stated ” Paris is a historic opportunity that we cannot miss. Now we must translate the momentum we have seen on the road to Paris into an ambitious, operational, legally binding agreement….But there is no room for complacency – the credibility of the deal will depend on these key elements: a long-term goal, regular reviews to increase ambition over time and strong transparency and accountability rules.“