“At the same time as the climate crisis is unfolding, disruption of energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz is shaking global energy markets,” von der Leyen told the high-level segment of the COP31 UN climate summit in Antalya.
“The world is witnessing the cost of continuing with the status quo for our climate and for energy security, we are at a global tipping point,” she said.
Citing devastating floods in Nepal, droughts from Sudan to Central America and “one of the worst wildfire seasons on record” in Europe, she said climate effects were becoming increasingly evident.
“The latest United Nations report is clear. We are on course to overshoot the 1.5C-degree (2.7F-degree) target, and every fraction of a degree matters. So, we must double down, and Europe will play its part,” she said. Von der Leyen was referring to the goal of the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels to avoid the most severe climate effects.
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Von der Leyen outlined three priorities for the EU: meeting climate commitments, accelerating electrification and strengthening international partnerships.
She said the bloc was on track to reduce emissions by more than half by 2030 and had set a course for a 90% reduction by 2040, toward climate neutrality by 2050.
Backing the “35 by 35” global electrification pledge introduced by the COP31 presidency led by Turkiye that aims to raise electricity’s share of global final energy consumption to 35% by 2035, she said more than 70% of EU electricity came from clean sources last year, while the bloc aims to raise electricity’s share of final energy use to 46% by 2040.
She also said the EU contributed more than €32 billion ($35.5 billion) in climate finance to developing countries last year and had mobilized over €300 billion in sustainable investments through its Global Gateway initiative.
“The science is clear, the climate impacts are increasingly clear, but the future is still ours to decide,” she said.
READ: Rezaei: Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until Iran’s seven conditions are met
Source: Iwpost.com
