Kelly to Drive EU towards new International Climate Agreement

MEP for Ireland South, Seán Kelly, is set to play a key role in the development of a new international climate change agreement that will cover all countries. The Kerry MEP has been selected to lead the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) in formulating their position on the highly anticipated new agreement that is set to be adopted at the UN Climate Change Conference in December. Mr. Kelly expressed that he is “pleased to be given the opportunity to drive Europe towards an ambitious Climate Change mitigation agreement.”

Speaking in Brussels today, MEP Kelly noted that “Europe has a responsibility to play a leading role in the fight against climate change and to drive progress towards a low carbon economy. The EU has made huge progress already in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing the share of renewables in our energy mix, and increasing energy efficiency.

“Still there is a need to ensure the agreement we reach in Paris will be strong and that it guarantees that the target in place to keep the increase in global temperature to an absolute maximum of 2 degrees is met. This is an increasingly pressing global issue and so for the well-being of ours and future generations, substantial and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions for all countries worldwide are essential”

The EU currently emits around 10% of global emissions, with this share set to further decline in the coming decades as EU member states strive to meet their climate and energy targets. International negotiations on the agreement are underway, and Mr. Kelly pointed out that a good balance should be found to ensure that the agreement is ambitious without hindering economic growth in Europe.

“The agreement we reach should go hand in hand with the EU’s industrial competitiveness – including the significant challenge to reduce energy import dependency in Europe which brings high energy costs, cutting into the competitiveness of our industries. I am confident that the global transition to low emissions will be achieved without compromising the impressive economic growth and recovery we currently see in Europe, and Ireland in particular.”