Debate: Consequences of drought, fire, and other extreme weather phenomena: increasing EU's efforts to fight climate change
Date: TUESDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 2022
Speaker: Mikuláš Bek
Language: EN

As we are all well aware, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense. They have severe impacts on nature and humankind globally and expose millions of people to acute food insecurity and reduced water security. The changes that we are already seeing, are unprecedented in recent history and will affect every region of the planet.  After the flooding and wildfires that led to devastation and loss across Europe in 2021, we have all witnessed this summer how large parts of the continent have been ravaged by heatwaves, wildfires and droughts, threatening the lives and livelihoods of many people and communities, putting pressure on national economies and endangering the environment and biodiversity.  Last Monday, European Ministers and Directors-General responsible for emergency management, informally met to discuss how to deal with the increasing number and scale of wildfires with the assistance of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism. More resources will have to be dedicated to ensure the safety of both the people and the environment. Once again, we are reminded that climate change is already happening, that its impacts vary and are unpredictable, and that we must step up our efforts to reach the objectives of the Paris Agreement.  In parallel to the climate crisis, the EU also needs to deal with serious energy and looming economic crises resulting from the Russian aggression against Ukraine. Even if the current unprecedented situation may require exceptional measures in the short-term, this should not derail us from the decarbonisation pathway that we have already embarked on.  We should maintain the course set by the European Green Deal, which offers simultaneously an opportunity to increase our energy security by ending our dependence on fossil fuels imported from unreliable producers like the Russian Federation.  Last year, the EU adopted the European Climate Law, a landmark piece of legislation, which ensures the legally binding nature of both the EU’s 2030 climate target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% compared to 1990 and its climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest.  This year we have been focusing on the implementation of the EU’s increased 2030 target. Inter-institutional negotiations on many proposals of the Fit for 55 package are under way thanks to the intensive efforts of both co-legislators to adopt their respective mandates before the summer break. The Presidency will do its utmost to make swift progress on these measures.  We are all aware that the impacts of climate change, as well as the effects of the measures to address them, vary in different countries and regions. We must take into account those specificities and we must strike the right balance between mitigation and adaptation measures, which go hand in hand. The EU Adaptation Strategy also reminds us how safeguarding biodiversity and ecosystems is fundamental to climate resilient development.  Additionally, let us not forget the efforts that the EU is undertaking in the global fight against climate change and where it must keep playing a leading role.  The EU is actively preparing for the climate conference COP 27 in Sharm el—Sheikh this November, which will dedicate a substantial part of its agenda to adaptation-related issues and adaptation finance.  The Glasgow Climate Pact calls on parties to collectively at least double the provision of climate finance for adaptation to developing countries from 2019 levels by 2025. In that regard, the EU looks forward to working alongside other parties to reach this objective.  The COP 27 will also provide a timely opportunity to recall the need for the implementation of existing initiatives, pledges and nationally determined contributions to deliver the objectives of the Paris Agreement. As already mentioned, the EU is ensuring that its contribution will be implemented through the Fit for 55 package.  We have set ourselves ambitious EU-wide targets and committed to contributing to efforts to combat climate change globally. To live up to those commitments and continue to lead by example, we, as co-legislators, must continue the constructive work that we have begun together on the Fit for 55 package with a view to reaching agreement as soon as possible. Thank you very much for your attention. I look forward to listening to the debate.