Conference of European Churches EU on the way to the UN climate change conference in Paris Peter Pavlovic Conference of European Churches European Christian Environmental Network

Why Paris conference matters Facts:  Unprecedented level of emissions the atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide have increased to levels unprecedented in at least the last 800,000 years  Anthropogenic character human influence on the climate system is clear  Changing of our living space for a long period ahead A large fraction of anthropogenic climate change resulting from CO2 emissions is irreversible; about 15 to 40% of emitted CO2 will remain in the atmosphere longer than 1,000 years Source: IPCC Report 2014

EU contributing to global efforts The EU accounts for 9% of global emissions and this proportion is falling. The world's two largest emitters - China (25% of global emissions) and the US (11%)

EU climate & energy policy EU 2020 targets: – 20% GHG emission reduction – 20% share of renewable – 20% energy saving Achieved results: – EU emissions declined by 19% between 1990 and 2013, while over the same period EU GDP grew by 45% EU 2030 targets - The EU's 2030 climate and energy framework, agreed by EU leaders in October 2014 – a binding, economy-wide reduction target, covering all sectors and all sources of emissions, including agriculture, forestry and other land uses, of at least 40% domestic reductions in emissions by 2030 compared to – Long terms vision - 80% - 95% domestic reductions by 2050

European Parliament Calls for general reinvigoration of the EU's climate policy in line with upper limit of the EU's commitment to reduce its GHG emissions to 95% below 1990 levels by 2050; – a binding EU % reduction target for GHG emissions – it is both realistic and affordable; – a binding EU 2030 energy efficiency target of 40 %, in line with research on cost-effective energy saving potential – a binding EU 2030 target of producing at least 45 % of total final energy consumption from renewable energy sources; Calls for concrete commitments to deliver additional sources of climate finance, such as – the adoption of a financial transactions tax and the allocation of emissions trading revenues to climate-related investments, – a timetable for the phase out of fossil fuel subsidies etc. – green investment funds, green bonds etc

EU - a vision of Paris agreement a transparent and dynamic legally binding agreement, containing fair and ambitious commitments from all Parties based on evolving global economic and geopolitical circumstances. A call for a strong agreement. the 2015 Agreement should be in the form of a Protocol under the UNFCCC. Major economies, in particular the EU, China and the US, should show political leadership by joining the Protocol all countries need to contribute a robust monitoring and accountability framework for effective follow-up of the implementation of climate finance commitments and objectives; new and additional finance in line with existing commitments, towards achieving the agreed amount of USD 100 billion a year by 2020;

Churches addressing the EU Dialogue with politics and its forms: – Addressing the EU Presidency – The letter to EU leaders – Contribution to EU public consultations – Churches in addressing governments in their countries – Ecumenical event on Climate justice in the European Parliament on 29 th September What do we say: – Be more ambitious – Fairness & justice – victims of climate change – Fossil fuels – Climate change, economy & lifestyle - climate change is a result of a dysfunctional mindset that demands ever increasing consumption in our households and individual lives – Engagement of public, education – Ethics, the role of churches & faith communities

The Paris Narrative The Paris agreement to become a turning point for a transformational shift toward low / zero carbon development (limiting global warming well below 2°C degrees), and improving climate resilience based on equity

What is going to happen after Paris conference? Addressing the real challenges and transforming them into opportunities Using opportunities for a political dialogue and advocacy Work of churches in grassroots communities Theology of creation