A global climate deal was adopted last December in Paris, in which all countries agreed to take action on climate change. The Paris agreement is unique as it represents a historically significant milestone that aims to pursue efforts to limit global temperature rises to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

Before the summer the commission will present a revised Effort Sharing Decision (ESD), to tackle 60% of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions by setting out annual emission targets for each Member State.

In this letter, the undersigned urge the commissioner to maintain the momentum created in Paris by ensuring that the 2030 Effort Sharing Decision results in effective climate action in the transport, buildings, agriculture, small industry and waste sectors.

Such a signal from the EU will demonstrate to the rest of the world the strong political determination to translate the Paris Agreement into dynamic and meaningful action at home. 

Read the letter in full here.

Preview Image: Sebastien Bertrand via Flickr cc