display

Brussels (AP) - The EU and the USA under the new administration of US President Joe Biden want to work together more closely in their efforts to protect the climate.

"We are determined to renew our strong alliance in the fight against the climate crisis," it said in a joint statement on Tuesday evening following the first visit by US climate officer John Kerry to Brussels.

"We also decided today to work together and with other countries to help the world's most vulnerable to cope with the devastating effects of climate change."

In Brussels, Kerry called for more ambitious commitments for climate protection than in the Paris Agreement of 2015. "Paris alone is not enough to accomplish this task," said the former US Secretary of State.

The world climate conference in Glasgow in autumn is the “last best chance” to build on the Paris Agreement.

display

In the French capital at the end of 2015, more than 190 countries agreed to stop global warming below 2 degrees, if possible at only 1.5 degrees.

However, the specific commitments of the governments are not yet sufficient for this - rather, the earth is heading for more than 3 degrees warming, in each case measured against the time before industrialization.

When Kerry arrived, EU Commissioner Frans Timmermans said: "I am absolutely convinced that the United States and Europe can move mountains together."

Kerry also spoke of closing ranks with Europe.

The fight against climate change will cost trillions and is cheaper for citizens than doing nothing.

"This is the time to get together and get the job done," Kerry said.

"We can do it."

Important technologies already exist, others are being developed at full speed.

But the years 2020 to 2030 should be “the decade of action”.

In the joint declaration, the USA reaffirmed its goal of not emitting any greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane or nitrous oxide by 2050 at the latest.

The European Union aims to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050 to eliminate as many CO2 emissions as it produces.

Kerry and the EU officials called on all countries in the world to take action to limit global warming.

display

Washington and Brussels have largely been on the same line again on climate protection since the change in power in the USA.

Immediately after taking office, the new US President Joe Biden arranged for the country to return to the Paris Agreement, which his predecessor Donald Trump had adopted.

Biden wants to host a climate summit on April 22nd, and in this context also revive the “Forum on Energy and Climate” initiated by ex-President Barack Obama in 2009 with leading economic powers.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210310-99-757870 / 2