In early December, climate leaders from around the world gathered in Dubai for the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28). The EU, as a leader in global climate action, advocated for significantly reducing emission, moving away from fossil fuels, doubling energy efficiency, and tripling renewable energy capacity. With 197 countries engaged in the COP discussions, the EU negotiators faced the dual challenge of pushing for immediate action while managing resistance from some fossil fuel-dependent countries.
Amidst the fervour of COP28’s international negotiations, OPR’s Global Politics editor Marta Kąkol had a chance to sit down with Kurt Vandenberghe, the Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Climate Action at his office in the EU Pavilion. Vandenberghe, an expert on the European Green Deal, has experience as a climate policy advisor to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and has a storied tenure at the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation.
Marta Kąkol (OPR): One could say that the EU’s climate policy is among the most ambitious in the world. What are the EU’s top objectives at COP28 and how are you planning to achieve them?
Kurt Vandenberghe (KV): The EU’s climate agenda is the most ambitious not only in target setting, but also in how we get there because we have a very comprehensive plan for achieving targets by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050. We know how to get there: putting a lot of emphasis on carbon pricing through putting a price on pollution and regulating in targeted sectors where needed. Then we couple this with a financial framework that is conducive to all the needed investments. The EU represents only 7% of global CO2 emissions, so we need to work with the rest of the world as well. When we launched our European Green Deal in 2019, we were often told that we were inflicting a big pain on Europe’s economy. We did this to build and reinforce Europe’s competitive advantage. Europe has strength in greening, decarbonization, energy efficiency, et cetera. We knew that the whole world had to go towards decarbonization.
OPR: How does this reflect on the EU as a global player?
KV: In 2023, the world is very different from 2019. Europe is condemned to stay the course because if we don’t, we risk being overtaken by others. We see what is happening in the US with the IRA [Inflation Reduction Act], which is attracting a lot of interest from investors. China is investing more in renewable energy than the rest of the world combined. Africa is positioning itself as the continent of solutions for the green transition. So, Europe has to stay the course on its ambition and implementation. That’s what the climate needs. In terms of economic development, we see this as a growth strategy for our economy. We cannot grow our economy on a model of fossil fuel-based growth or wastage of resources. We need to find a new growth model. That’s where this COP comes in. The climate action globally helps to develop an agenda for growth and investments.
OPR: At the World Climate Action Summit, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, announced the Global Pledge on Renewables and Energy Efficiency already signed by 118 countries. Key players at COP have been sceptical about supporting the pledge. Do you think the Commission’s language on the rapid renewable transition will be reflected in the final COP decision?
KV: I should say that the Commission President launched this initiative already in April and six months later, we have 118 countries on board, which is showing where the world is heading in terms of clean energy transition. The pledge is necessary and creates momentum. For us, the next step is to have this included in the outcome of this COP. That is our position, and we are working with partners to get this done [the pledge has in fact been included in the final COP28 statement]. If you have 118 countries signing off, this cannot be ignored or dismissed. For us, the benchmark of this COP is that we can globally reduce emissions by 43% by 2030. That does not mean that we need to go into energy poverty. We need energy. That’s where renewables and energy efficiency come in, which will enable a transition to an energy system without fossil fuels. That is what we will need in the COP outcome to ensure that the world turns towards clean energy and that the pledge is helping to build that momentum for getting there.
OPR: Clearly, partnerships are very important, and the European Union is working with global partners to encourage and support climate action, but where is the space for developing nations in all of this? What is the European Union doing to help developing nations catch up in the transition?
KV: The EU has consistently delivered on climate finance. In 2022, we provided 28.5 billion Euros [30 billion USD] out of the hundred billion collectively reached. Europe is doing more than its fair share. We are also building partnerships with countries in the Global South through memoranda of understanding and other ways. Firstly, we will lead by example by having the most ambitious climate agenda and targets. Secondly, we will form these partnerships, for example, with Namibia or now increasingly with the Mediterranean countries, to help them move up in the industrial chain and the sustainability ladder. Thirdly, trade on the market will always be open for products that are green and sustainable.
OPR: At the beginning, you also mentioned competition with China on green initiatives, and I found that interesting considering the recent statement by Commissioner Timmermans, who claimed that “the EU and China are joining forces in tackling the triple crises of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss”. How does the EU navigate the balance between competition and cooperation with China on climate and energy transition?
KV: We have a very positive and constructive relationship with China. There are of course issues that we need to tackle. For example, the fact that China is putting a lot of subsidies in certain industrial sectors is perceived as threatening to our industrial future in Europe. We also have to make clear that the global market for green goods and products will be growing tremendously. So, there is space for everyone. We were very encouraged by the EU-China High-Level Environment and Climate Dialogue in July. There, we agreed to work together on an aligned emission trading system, methane reduction, climate finance and climate adaptation. There are many areas of joint interests with China, and we do hope that China will also use this COP to send the right signals to the world that the future of industry and economic growth is green. China has a policy of under-promising and overachieving. We would like China to promise a bit more and tell the world that its promises and achievements are more aligned on climate.
OPR: Let’s talk about the EU relations with our host here at COP28 —the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Many people have become increasingly sceptical about the climate conference, and this year it’s particularly controversial being in Dubai. The COP President is the CEO of a state-owned oil company and there have been allegations of backroom oil deals, and even some recent allegations of climate change denial. What is the Commission’s stance on this issue?
KV: We will judge the success of this COP at the end. So far, all the conditions are in place for a successful outcome. There was a very smooth adoption of the agenda contrary to previous meetings. For example, the Loss and Damage fund was agreed at the beginning. I really have to congratulate the United Arab Emirates for pulling off a very well-organized COP. I think it is quite significant that so many people are coming. It’s the biggest gathering of governments, civil society, and businesses. It shows that climate is on top of the agenda worldwide. We now look to the COP Presidency and all the other parties to deliver a balanced and ambitious outcome on the main pillars of the Global Stocktake, which are adaptation, finance, and mitigation.
OPR: I also want to ask you for some final words on your ambitions for a way forward, not only for COP but for the future of global collaboration on climate.
KV: We have a team of very experienced professional negotiators. We work very well together with all the member states of the EU. We have a very clear position as to what we want to get out of this COP. So, we will work very constructively with all our partners across the world to get to an outcome which delivers on adaptation. The global goal on adaptation is very important for developing countries and the Small Island Developing States, but it is also important for Europe. The whole world is now being increasingly affected by climate change. We need to be better prepared and have the right ambition on mitigation. Our benchmark will be that we need to have peak emissions by 2025 and put the world on track for reducing emissions by 43% by 2030, and then go towards fully decarbonized power systems in the 2030s. To get there, we need good language on the future of fossil fuels and fossil fuel phase out. There’s no way we can become net zero worldwide if we continue to base our growth model on fossil fuels.
OPR: I wish you all the best in the negotiations. Thank you for the conversation.