COP21 Envisions a Greener Future, Highlights EU Environmentalism

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change convened the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP21) in Paris on Nov. 30. This conference, set to conclude on Dec. 11, is the U.N.’s first major set of talks focused on limiting greenhouse gas emissions in over five years, since COP15 was held in Copenhagen in 2009. In late November, Christiana Figueres, the conference’s Executive Secretary, asserted that climate change is such a pressing problem that it will require policy reform on a never-before attempted scale. Figueres expressed hope that the summit in Paris would serve as a global turning point in the fight against climate change by commemorating recent efforts and inspiring further action.

While COP21 indicates a shift in international perspective towards prioritizing global environmental issues, environmental stewardship has long been a focus of European Union policy. Since the Treaty of Amsterdam was ratified in 1997, developing sustainable energy sources has been one the EU’s primary goals and has received popular support. According to the 2014 Eurobarometer survey published by the European Commission, 95 percent of Europeans consider protecting the environment to be personally important.    

However, while the European Environmental Agency reported this October that EU greenhouse gas emissions have fallen by 23 percent since 1990, many EU leaders have pushed for further progress in anticipation of COP21.

Just before the official start of the summit, German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed her hopes.  Speaking in the Le Bourget commune of France where the conference is being held, Merkel noted, “For the first time, [the conference] gives us the chance to achieve our goal of a treaty.”

Furthermore, the EU continues to push for environmental reform independently of global policy being developed at COP21. The Circular Economy Package, adopted by the European Commission on Dec. 2, aims to align business interests with environmental goals.  

According to EU Business, the revised plan outlines policies that will “stimulate Europe's transition towards a circular economy which will boost global competitiveness, foster sustainable economic growth, and generate new jobs.” The plan will focus on more energy-efficient means of production,increasing use of biodegradable materials, reducing food waste, and promoting increased reparability, durability, and recyclability of products. EU leaders hope the plan will inspire similar legislation from the policymakers at COP21.

Given the European Union’s commitment to minimizing the effects of climate change, many believe that Paris was a logical host site for COP21. As the summit draws to a close on Dec. 11, both EU and U.N. leaders remain hopeful that new environmental policies will spur lasting global change.