The European Parliament declares a climate emergency
Environment — di Andrea Barolini
The European Parliament has approved a resolution officially declaring a climate and environmental emergency.
The European Parliament declares a climate emergency
The European Parliament has approved a resolution officially declaring a climate and environmental emergency.
Just days before the start of COP 25 in Madrid, the European Parliament approved a resolution on 28 November officially declaring a climate and environmental emergency. The act, which is highly symbolic, was adopted with 429 votes in favour, 225 against and 19 abstentions.
European Union lawmakers declared a 'climate emergency' in a symbolic vote that heightens pressure for action against global warming at an upcoming summit reut.rs/2XWnKJ0
The vote on the climate emergency split the EPP
It commits the EU's legislative assembly to doing what is necessary to "limit the increase in the average global temperature on the planet to a maximum of 1.5 degrees Celsius, in order to avert a devastating loss of biodiversity". That is, to meet the primary objective of the Paris Agreement.
The European Parliament's vote comes after several national assemblies had already done the same: this is the case with the United Kingdom, France and Austria. During the debate that preceded the decision, MEPs discussed whether or not to consider the climate crisis an emergency. In particular, the European People's Party, the largest political force in terms of parliamentary representation, decided to join the Renew, Social Democrats and Greens groups in drafting the resolution. However, it was divided internally at the time of the vote.