UN Climate Secretary Espinosa: “Everybody must raise their ambitions, also the EU”

Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Patricia Espinosa sees a more active role for China and the EU in climate diplomacy and technological development in the renewables sector after US President Donald Trump announced he would pull his country out of the Paris Climate Agreement. In an interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Espinosa said that the EU had to raise its climate ambition, like everyone else. Technological development allowed European states to set more ambitious targets, said Espinosa. Asked about Germany likely missing its 2020 greenhouse gas reduction target, she said that “we see a great willingness in the German government to set the course for a society that wants to largely do without CO₂ emissions”.

For background, read the CLEW dossier COP23 climate summit – All eyes on Germany.