Brussels, 4 October 2016
PRESS RELEASE
Commenting on the ratification of the Paris Agreement, the European Green Party Co-Chair Monica Frassoni said:
"Just in time for COP22 in Marrakech and after a quite confused last minute rush to keep Italy and Poland together, the European Parliament has finally approved the ratification the Paris Agreement for the EU, and overwhelmingly so, with 610 votes in favour, 38 against and 31 abstained.
"Deciding to go through without the lengthy procedure of national ratifications, and finally enabling the Paris Agreement to enter into full force, is extremely good news even more so after a poor display of disunity among Members of a Union which had spearheaded last year’s COP21. The European Union has finally moved forward, after lagging behind China and the United States, and has proved once again that it is possible to decide quickly and well.
"Delivery can however not come too long after the ratification. The EU must now deliver accordingly: we await an equal ambition and determination from the part of the Commission in delivering before the end of the year an ambitious Energy Union legislative package, in line with the just ratified committment of pursuing the goal of keeping global temperature increase at 1.5°C. Targets we have on the table now for Renewable Energy Sources and Energy Efficiency are far from enough."
- ENDS -
Eliana Capretti
Head of Communications and Press
EUROPEAN GREEN PARTY aisbl
Rue Wiertz 31
B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
T +32 2 626 07 26
M +32 496 804 027
E eliana.capretti@europeangreens.eu
W www.europeangreens.eu
