COP30 served as a powerful reminder of the influence that the UK and EU can wield when they act together.
As negotiations approached a weak final communique, one that risked minimising the urgency of moving beyond all fossil fuels, a unified front led by the UK and EU, with support from Latin American states, effectively steered the talks away from failure. This vital step kept global climate action on course.
The talks looked like they would not progress, with the integrity of them in question, over 'how to talk about fossil fuels'. But it was on this issue of semantics that the UK and EU united and a final agreement was passed at COP30.
The model of UK-EU cooperation we saw on display at COP, like that we have seen with the coalition of the willing efforts, and the joint efforts to secure peace in the Middle East, clearly shows that on foreign policy, the UK and EU must work in concert to meet our mutual aims.
To preserve Britain's influence on the world stage, we must lead with our neighbours. At COP, the UK and EU shifted negotiations, fortified the final deal, and showcased prescient global leadership.
This success in climate cooperation should be a starting point, not an exception. If joint action can deliver progress amid the complexity of COP negotiations, imagine what sustained, structured cooperation could achieve across the broader climate and environmental agenda here in Europe. Re-establishing closer policy links, ensuring the UK keeps up with the EU’s advancing environmental standards and formally aligning on climate action would boost both sides’ credibility internationally and unlock greater impact at future summits.
COP30 showed what’s possible when the UK and EU speak with one voice. Now is the moment to build on that partnership, for the climate, for Europe, and future generations.
For the sake of our planet, we need to take this spirit of cooperation further. Find out more on what we are calling for in our One Earth. One Team. campaign.
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