Putting the Paris Agreement at the centre of Europe’s climate and energy map

The Royal Institute for International Relations is an independent think-tank based in Brussels. Its interdisciplinary research is conducted in a spirit of total academic freedom. Drawing on the expertise of its own research fellows, as well as that of external specialists, both Belgian and foreign, it provides analysis and policy options that are meant to be as operational as possible.After the failure of the 15th Conference of the Parties in Copenhagen in 2009 still lingering as an ugly reminder, the biggest achievement of the Paris Agreement was to elicit global political will to address the growing threat of climate change. The European Union participated actively in the preparatory work by building bridges, it managed to speak at the conference with one voice and it contributed substantially in raising the ambition of the negotiations through its ‘high ambition coalition’ that started with the most vulnerable countries and ended up with half the world.

The expected early entry into force of the Paris Agreement – by the end of 2016 rather than by 2020 – was a good indication of the parties’ commitment. This paper aimed to analyse the key aspects of the Paris Agreement so as to explore what they implied for the EU and its climate and energy policy. The way in which the EU would implement the outcome of the agreement would be crucial to prove its credibility on the international level and to enhance trust-based relations with developing countries.

UN: Sustainable development goals: Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/climate-change-2/

ESO: Paris Climate Change Conference, November-December 2015 http://www.europeansources.info/record/paris-climate-change-conference-november-december-2015/

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