EU Sets Five Climate Priorities Ahead of COP31
The EU has outlined five priorities for COP31, including upholding science, implementing the Global Stocktake, and advancing the clean energy transition, at a UN General Assembly event.
The story in focus
The EU has outlined five priorities for COP31 at a UN General Assembly special event, including upholding science, implementing the Global Stocktake, advancing clean energy, delivering on mandates, and improving UNFCCC efficiency. It urges all parties to submit post-2030 NDCs aligned with a 1.5°C pathway.
- The EU statement was delivered at a UN General Assembly special event on 16 October 2026.
- The EU calls on all parties that have not yet submitted post-2030 NDCs to do so.
- The EU identifies Türkiye and Australia as COP31 Presidency.
EU Priorities for COP31
The European Union has set out five priorities for COP31 at a UN General Assembly special event. The first is to uphold science, with the IPCC’s upcoming reports informing the second Global Stocktake. The second is to maintain momentum on implementation, including full delivery of the first Global Stocktake and strong post-2030 Nationally Determined Contributions. The EU calls on parties that have not yet submitted their NDCs to do so and align them with a 1.5°C pathway. The third priority is the global clean energy transition, including tripling renewable energy and doubling energy efficiency, while transitioning away from fossil fuels in a just, orderly and equitable manner.
Delivery and Process
The fourth priority is progress across mandates and delivery on agreed outcomes, including strengthening the Mitigation Work Programme beyond 2026 and agreeing a lean Just Transition Mechanism. The EU also calls for progress on adaptation and the New Collective Quantified Goal on climate finance. The fifth priority is improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the UNFCCC regime, including ensuring a safe and unhindered civic space at COP31. The EU states confidence in Türkiye and Australia, as COP31 Presidency, to lead an open, transparent and inclusive process.
What are the EU’s five priorities for COP31?
Upholding science, maintaining implementation momentum, advancing the clean energy transition, delivering on agreed outcomes, and improving UNFCCC efficiency and effectiveness, including a safe civic space.
Sources & further reading
- EU Statement – UN General Assembly: A Planet Fit for the Future, Restoring Trust through Climate Action ↗eeas.europa.eu
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