2015: CLIMATE CHANGE, A GLOBAL CHALLENGE

Source: europa.eu

Source: http://ec.europa.eu/

In November 2015, the Climate Change Conference (COP 21) took place in Paris. 

What is the COP? It is a yearly Conference organised by the United Nations where each and every country is invited (although approximately 5% of them don't attend). Pricing carbon and analysing level of emissions are only two examples of the environmental topics they deal with there.

What have they achieved so far? Even though this event is celebrated year after year, the one that took place in 2015 is particularly significant. They set a list of goals which aim to limit the global temperature increase to 2ºC. These goals will be binding in at least 55 countries (European territory included) in order to make sure everyone meets the long-term goals. These are only some examples:

-Net emissions to peak by 2030. 

-Global emissions to decrease (either 40 – 70 percent or 70 – 95 percent) below 2010 levels by 2050.

Source: http://www.rff.org/blog/2015/question-1-cop-21-long-term-goal

Which role does the EU play in all this? 

The EU agreed to meet the objectives by applying several measures, which of course will affect Spain as well:

• Updating the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). 

• Setting targets for member countries to limit or reduce their domestic greenhouse gas emissions from sectors not covered by the EU ETS, such as agriculture, transport (except aviation), buildings and waste. 

• Setting standards to reduce CO2 emissions from new cars and vans and measures to address emissions from heavy-duty vehicles. 

• Actions to control emissions of fluorinated industrial gases, which are powerful greenhouse gases.

• Setting standards, labelling and legislation to improve energy efficiency, including energy efficiency in buildings.

• Reducing emissions, renewable energies and energy efficiency targets for 2030 set as part of the 2030 climate and energy policy framework.

For further information on the EU's role in regards to climate change you can visit EU Climate Action on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/EUClimateAction/?fref=photo

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Source: http://ec.europa.eu/clima/publications/docs/factsheet_climate_change_2015_en.pdf