EU - U.S. Summit Statement stresses commitment to tackle climate change

Brussels, 15 June 2021

"The EU-US summit on 15 June 2021 marked the beginning of a renewed transatlantic partnership and set a joint agenda for EU-US cooperation in the post-pandemic era. The leaders committed to regular dialogue to take stock of progress" according to a summary of the key results of the summit released by the European Council.

On the subject of "Protecting our planet and fostering green growth" summary says that "The EU and the US are committed to the Paris Agreement and its effective and strengthened implementation. To provide an effective platform for cooperation in this regard, the leaders committed to establishing an EU-US High-Level Climate Action Group."

The summary quotes from the joint statement which says that "We intend to lead by example by becoming net-zero greenhouse gas economies by no later than 2050 and implementing our respective enhanced 2030 targets / Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). We resolve to engage with our international partners to achieve an ambitious outcome at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), making every effort to keep a 1.5-degree limit on global temperature within reach."

Other key points highlighted in the summary include:

"The leaders committed to rapidly scaling up technologies and policies that further accelerate the transition away from unabated coal capacity and to an overwhelmingly decarbonised power system in the 2030s, consistent with the EU’s and the US’s respective 2030 NDCs and 2050 net-zero commitments."
"The leaders resolved to increase their cooperation on transition towards a climate-neutral, resource-efficient and circular economy. They intend to work towards a Transatlantic Green Technology Alliance that would foster cooperation on the development and deployment of green technologies, as well as to promote markets to scale such technologies." and
"The EU and the US are very determined to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 and take urgent action to address its drivers. The leaders committed to the goal of conserving or protecting at least 30% of global land and 30% of global oceans by 2030. They share the goal of jointly promoting a successful and ambitious post-2020 global biodiversity framework at the 15th UN Biodiversity Conference of the Parties (COP15). Furthermore, the leaders committed to working together to protect the world’s oceans, including by combating marine litter.

In Part II of the of U.S.-EU Summit Statement, the two sides stress their commitment to "Protect our planet and foster green growth". Specifically, the document states that "Climate change, environmental degradation, and the loss of biodiversity are mutually-reinforcing, extraordinary threats to humanity. We plan to continue and strengthen our cooperation to tackle climate change, environmental degradation and the loss of biodiversity, promote green growth, protect our oceans, and urge ambitious action by all other major players."

The joint statement also says both are "determined to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 and take urgent action to address its drivers." and to work "together to protect our oceans." Concerning the far North the statement declares that "We resolve to work together to retain the Arctic as a region of peace and stability and collaborate, in particular through the Arctic Council, to ensure a clean habitat and constructive cooperation on climate change, environmental protection, and sustainable economic development benefiting the region’s inhabitants."

The statement ends with the a final sentence which reads: "We reaffirm our unwavering support for robust NATO-EU cooperation and to the commitments outlined and principles enshrined in the 2016 and 2018 Joint Declarations. We will work jointly to raise the level of NATO-EU ambition in order to further strengthen this mutually reinforcing key strategic partnership."

>>> Read the full statement >>>

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