United Nations climate talks are starting in Paris in a few days. As the host continent of this important international gathering of over 130 heads of states around the world, what should we expect of Europe? Will the climate talks be more effective than Copenhagen 2009, among other efforts?

Historically, the EU has played a significant role in climate change. Judging from statistics, Europe, as a geographical region, has overall achieved more targets than most regions and kept its promises although previous protocols lacked binding implementation schemes.

Meanwhile, for years, the EU has sought to strengthen its ties with such emerging global powers as China, India and Brazil, which have ambitiously planned to reduce their emission levels significantly and cooperated with other countries to achieve these goals collectively. China, in particular, is cooperating and simultaneously competing with the United States for global leadership on this issue. Both nations’ hegemony may threaten Europe’s own leadership in furthering positive and effective climate change solutions.

Recent crises in European countries, including the Greek financial situation, migrant crisis and the November 13th Paris terrorist attack, have set the scene as a difficult one for the continent. Perhaps, the climate talks in Paris could provide opportunities for the region to rebuild and strengthen its international reputation.

The Irish Times, for instance, calls for Europe to seize the opportunities by improving three areas. Firstly, it must “avoid backsliding on its domestic climate commitments”, citing Ireland as a country in danger of missing its own 2020 emission targets by a wide margin. Secondly, Europe needs to consider financing for developing countries, especially “the least developed countries and low-lying island states”. The EU’s provision of climate finance can be seen as an essential means of shaping perceptions of the region’s commitment to this issue. Thirdly, the EU should push other states, particularly China, to “accept robust transparency and reporting mechanisms”.

Climate change is not only a problem with which environmentalists are concerned, but also a political issue at its core for its impact on human security. Nations should come together and use the Paris climate change talks as a platform to collaborate to really make a difference, although certain interests will have to be compromised when it comes to the tensions between economic development and environmental conservation, global hegemony and leadership.

Sources:

http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/climate-change-robust-eu-engagement-at-paris-crucial-1.2415790

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/paris-climate-change-talks-four-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-upcoming-meetings-a6747531.html

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2015/11/24/obama-declares-upcoming-paris-climate-change-forum-to-be-a-powerful-rebuke-to-the-terrorists/

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-11-25/how-the-rise-of-renewables-brings-a-fix-for-climate-ever-closer