COP21: The question now is how we transition to a carbon-free era

Post by Charlotte Billingham. FEPS Executive Advisor. The fundamental achievement to come out of this […]

15/12/2015

Post by Charlotte Billingham. FEPS Executive Advisor.

The fundamental achievement to come out of this is that for the first time ever, all the countries agreed in committing to reducing emissions and taking action against climate change.

This sends a very strong and clear signal to business, investment, the people and governments from now on. This in itself is a major feat and to especially because it was considered at many stages that it might not be possible at all. Many side initiatives have also been agreed between different groups of countries which also sends a very positive message to future action.

The details of course are to be looked at carefully and decisions of how to reduce emissions effectively will be wrangled over. The main immediate threat still lies for many countries that are being deeply affected by climate change already although mitigation and adaptation measures have been carefully included in the text and the climate fund over the next years aims to help those countries a lot. Nevertheless the recognition of the need for climate action has effectively been 30 years delayed.

For Europe the message is clearly that we need to step-up investment in renewables and energy efficiency and we need to get to work quickly in implementing such initiatives as the Energy Union and circular economy.

As Progressives the table has been laid now to set out a detailed version of what a just, sustainable transition will entail. The next question is the how? – We now have the opportunity to draw out the implementation policies that need to follow and this positive outcome provides now an important backdrop in offering people the tools to make the change happen, and quickly.

Continuing the developments in Paris, the work begins now!

This is the final article of a series of posts that Charlotte Billingham will write from Paris during the COP 21. 

Read the first post: COP 21: ‘Put yourself in their shoes’ – Finding Solutions to Climate Change and Refugees

Read the second post: How desirable is the Just Transition at the COP21?

Find all related publications
Publications
04/02/2025

Tackling tax avoidance

Reforming Capital Income Taxation in the EU
29/01/2025

Progressive Yearbook 2025

2024 was announced as a ‘super election’ year. In fact, about half of the world’s […]
27/01/2025

Forging the new EU agenda

Progressive inputs for European economic policy
16/12/2024

Next Left country case studies

Exploring the state of Social Democracy in France, Austria, Romania, the Netherlands, Italy and Australia
Find all related news
News
29/01/2025

Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas awarded FEPS ‘Progressive Person of the Year’

FEPS Progressive Person of the Year 2024-2025
15/01/2025

Launch of the new Open Progressive University’s Ukraine programme!

We have launched the new programme ‘Progressive Ukraine’ in collaboration with S&D Group as part […]
03/12/2024

FEPS President Maria João Rodrigues at the 2024 Understanding China Conference

FEPS President Maria João Rodrigues participated in the 2024 Understanding China Conference, “Carry through the […]
03/12/2024

Joint statement by the Friends of the Western Balkans (FoWB) 

Brussels, 3 December 2024 We, the Friends of the Western Balkans – consisting of representatives […]
Find all related in the media
In the media

Nedostatak brižnosti

by Vox Feminae 04/02/2025
"Lack of care" The Croatian feminist magazine Vox Feminae highlights the chapter by Annica Kronsell in FEPS book "A new Gender Equality Contract for Europe", which is dedicated to imagining a new gender contract for the climate

Suomi on poikkeuksellisen herkkä menettämään verotuloja muiden maiden verohelpotusten takia

by Helsingin Sanomat 04/02/2025
Discussing the findings from the policy study "Tackling tax avoidance" with Kalevi Sorsa Foundation

Brussels promises to make red tape disappear – Brussels my love

by Euronews 03/02/2025
FEPS President Maria João Rodrigues participated in this episode of Euronews’ show ‘Brussels my love’ on EU car industry, the cost of living, inflation, and public transport.

O mundo de Trump 2.0 e as responsabilidades europeias

by Público 03/02/2025
'The world of Trump 2.0 and the European responsibilities' article by FEPS President Maria João Rodrigues at Público.