Opening remarks by Commissioner Hoekstra at the joint press briefing with the European Parliament at COP28

Opening remarks by Commissioner Hoekstra with EP at COP28

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen,

As you can see, the European Union has not only come to this COP with high ambition. We have also come with high numbers of politicians.

Today, I am not accompanied by the Spanish Presidency of the Council, who represent all 27 national governments of the European Union, but by the Head of the Delegation of the European Parliament, Peter Liese.

The European Parliament is a key partner in our domestic climate action, and so, in implementing all the commitments we make here at the COP.

And to give you an example: it is thanks to the work of the European Parliament that we expect to exceed our 2030 emissions reductions target.

But Peter will shortly tell you more about how the EU is delivering at home.

It is our joint aim here to deliver globally as well.

Today, we kick off the second week of negotiations, now at the Ministerial level.

We are starting this week with the wind in our sails.

The Presidency has built up positive momentum and prepared the ground for the crunch talks that will happen this week, in the days we have ahead of us.

I want to thank them for the work that has been done so far.

And I want to urge them to continue this leadership and drive.

This was also my message to Dr Sultan when we met with him yesterday morning.

With strong leadership of the COP President, and constructive engagement by all Parties we have here united, we can reach the ambitious outcomes that scientists demand, and next generations deserve.

Let me explicit here as well, an ambitious Global Stocktake means:

• peaking global emissions by 2025.
• reducing emissions by 43% this decade.
• and clearing the way for the next round of NDCs

These next NDCs must be in line with the 1.5 degrees and deliver a global emissions reduction of 60% by 2035.

This is what we have to do here the next couple of days, to keep the Paris Agreement alive, to keep 1.5 alive – I may even add, to keep faith in the multilateral system.

We have texts and options on the table which – in the right combination – allow us to achieve these outcomes.

Now we need to refine these texts, reduce the options, we need and move towards a consensus.

I told you earlier that I want COP28 to mark the beginning of the end for fossil fuels.

That has become the headline issue of this COP, and we cannot shy away from taking bold decisions.

Anything less would be a failure.

But the Global Stocktake is about much more than the words ‘fossil fuel phase-out'.

It is also about how we ensure that phase-out happens.

It is about creating the right conditions for the transition.

It is about identifying the means to deliver, and designing a process to ensure we do.

It is about ending the absurdity of fossil fuel subsidies, which are holding us back.

And it is about making sure we invest in a fair energy transition for everyone on this planet by aligning all financial flows with the Paris Agreement.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We know that we have a tough but important task ahead of us in the coming days.

But the world is watching, and it is waiting for some good news.

I am confident that we can provide it.

Thank you.

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