The European Union is planning a more concentrated strategy for the upcoming global climate summit this November, following difficulties advancing its environmental priorities during last year’s negotiations, according to an internal strategy document obtained by Reuters.
The strategy paper, developed by Ireland as it prepares to lead the 27-member European Union, outlines the bloc’s approach for the United Nations’ COP31 climate conference scheduled to take place in Turkey.
According to the document, the EU’s negotiating position should be “shorter, sharper and more strategic” compared to previous years.
“We should say fewer things, more clearly – and stand firmly behind them,” the document states.
Last year’s global climate conference, COP30, concluded in Brazil without reaching agreements on key EU objectives, including speeding up reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and decreasing reliance on fossil fuels.
“Europe should continue to stand firmly for ambitious climate action and for the integrity of the multilateral process. But ambition alone is not a strategy,” the strategy paper noted.
During the Brazil discussions, conversations centered on creating a plan to eliminate fossil fuels and proposals to boost climate financing. However, the 15-page EU negotiating framework that member nations had approved before the summit lacked specific positions on these critical topics.
According to some diplomats, the EU’s inability to successfully promote its priorities stemmed partially from insufficient advance preparation.
This year’s climate summit faces additional challenges as nations worldwide grapple with energy supply disruptions caused by the Iran war, leading some countries to expand renewable energy while others increase coal consumption.
Ireland’s strategy also emphasizes early diplomatic outreach by EU member nations to other countries, fostering cooperation with both supporters and critics in the negotiations.
The approach involves distributing negotiating duties among member states’ ministers to ensure they are “deployed strategically both in the lead-up to and during COP31 itself.”
“Political ownership matters. Ministers should not arrive at COP only to react to events as they unfold,” the document emphasized.
When asked about the strategy document, a spokesperson for Ireland’s climate ministry confirmed the country is taking a focused approach to COP preparations, “concentrating our efforts where we can make the greatest contribution and on key priorities.”
“Climate diplomacy is not just about two weeks at a COP; it is a year-round process of engagement, relationship-building and delivery,” the spokesperson explained.
