COP21: the Role of the EU and of its Members in the Climate Negotiations Views from the Weimar Triangle Countries

As the Bonn negotiating session is about to start, international climate talks are entering the final straight towards COP21. The European Union positioned itself as a frontrunner in climate policy and it has recently confirmed its long-term commitment by defining its 2030 targets. This strong domestic climate action is a major strength that the EU can draw on to take a leadership role in the process of reaching a global binding agreement. Hosting the conference, France has a particular responsibility and is determined to facilitate the discussions and identify common grounds between the various parties.

This event, co-organised by Ifri, SWP and PISM, will attempt to identify the decisive steps for the European climate diplomacy in the run-up to COP21, with a particular focus on the role that France, Germany, Poland and the European institutions can play. The discussion will also revolve around the convergence between EU’s position and those of the other parties to the negotiations. The ultimate goal is to share analyses on the potential outcomes of COP21 and define the impact it may have on the EU.   

Programme

11:15 - 12.45 : What goals and what means for COP21? Sherpa’s views

Karsten Sach, Deputy Head of Department, Ministry of Ecology, Germany (tbc)
Katarzyna Snyder, Head of Negotiations Team, Ministry of the Environment, Poland
Paul Watkinson, Head of climate negotiation team, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, France

Moderator: Cécile Maisonneuve, Special Advisor, French Institute for International Relations (Ifri) 

12:45 - 14:00 : Lunch

14:00-15:30 :  What goals and what means for COP21? Expert views

Oliver Geden, Head of EU Research Division, Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik
Carole Mathieu, Research Fellow, French Institute for International Affairs
Marek Wąsiński, Analyst, Polish Institute of International Affairs

Moderator: Dušan Reljic, Director, Brussels Office, SWP

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