From European Commission.

The following press release was issued by the European Commission on December 8, 2015 4:00 pm.

The EU and the African, Caribbean and Pacific states have agreed:

– the Paris Agreement must be legally binding, inclusive, fair, ambitious, durable and dynamic

– it must set out a clear and operational long-term goal which is in line with science

– it must establish a review mechanism for countries to come together every five years to consider progress made and to enhance collective and individual efforts as appropriate

– it must include a transparency and accountability system to track progress on the delivery of national commitments and the sharing of best practice

EU Climate Action and Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete, Minister for Environment of Luxembourg holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Carole Dieschbourg,and Secretary-General of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, Patrick Gomes, highlighted the longstanding cooperation and common understanding between the two groups of countries in the fight against climate change. They agreed that the 79 ACP countries and the 28 European Union Member States will push together for an ambitious agreement in Paris.

Miguel Arias Cañete and Patrick Gomes welcomed the signing of the 11th European Development Fund Intra-ACP Strategy by the ACP Group and the European Commission, which allocates €475 million to support climate action, resilience building and the environment in ACP countries up to 2020.

Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete said: “These negotiations are not about “them” and “us”. These negotiations are about all of us, both developed and developing countries, finding common ground and solutions together. This is why the EU and the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries have agreed to join forces for an ambitious outcome here in Paris. We urge other countries to join us. Together we can do it. The EU stands shoulder to shoulder with its long term partners in the African, Caribbean and Pacific regions.”

ACP Secretary General Patrick Gomes stressed the importance of supporting ACP Countries to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change, stating: “The EU and the ACP Group represent a great majority of countries in the world and we want an ambitious Paris Agreement to accelerate the global transition that we urgently need. Now is the time for leaders to be ambitious. The adverse impacts of climate change threaten the world as a whole, including the very survival of the 79 countries of the ACP Group, while impeding their achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals”.

The Paris climate conference, scheduled to run from 30 November to 11 December, is due to conclude a new international agreement to limit global average temperature rise and avoid the most dangerous consequences of climate change.

More information

ACP Declaration on the Paris Climate Change Conference (COP21) at: http://www.acp.int/content/acp-council-ministers-declaration-paris-climate-change-conference-cop21

ACP Issues Paper on the Paris Climate Change Conference (COP21) at: http://www.acp.int/content/acp-cop-21-issues-paper