EU Council sets climate and biodiversity priorities ahead of COP31 and COP17

Luxembourg, 12 October 2026

On Monday, the Council approved two sets of conclusions setting out the EU’s main negotiating positions ahead of the United Nations climate change (COP31) and biodiversity (COP17) summits. The EU will call for rapid, science-based action rooted in multilateralism to limit global warming and halt biodiversity loss.

Deeply alarmed by the gravity of the interconnected global crises, the EU will reaffirm the urgent need for accelerated implementation of the Paris Agreement and of the global biodiversity framework. The EU’s focus in both COPs is on translating commitments into concrete actions and promoting cooperation within the United Nations framework.

The moment to act is now. COP31 must be the turning point where commitments become tangible reality. Because climate change spares no country, true climate resilience requires global cooperation. The EU stands ready to lead on crucial issues such as the transition from fossil fuels and accelerating the clean energy transition through ambitious, coordinated and strategic action.

^{Darragh O’Brien, Ireland’s Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment}

In an era where both multilateralism and nature protection are tested, the EU remains strongly committed to achieving positive outcomes for biodiversity at COP17. There can be no lowering of the ambition that was agreed under the global biodiversity framework. We will call for the acceleration of global action and a renewed focus to mainstream efforts across the economy and society.

^{Ireland’s Minister of State at the Department with special responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity}

Climate change: key priorities for COP31

While acknowledging that the Paris Agreement goal of 1.5ºC is likely to be exceeded, EU ministers called for urgent and ambitious climate action to avoid every additional fraction of a degree of warming and to return to the 1.5ºC trajectory in line with the best available science. Noting the accelerating impacts of climate change with concern, they stressed that the “overshoot‑peak‑decline” pathway is the best remaining option to keep global warming below 1.5°C by the end of the century.

COP31 must mark a step-change in the delivery of the Paris Agreement. At COP31, the EU will call for the effective implementation of nationally determined contributions (NDCs) – the climate action plans under the Paris Agreement – and for urgent submission of missing NDCs.

The need to collectively deliver on the outcomes of the first global stocktake (GST-1) is also emphasised in the EU’s negotiating position, including the transition away from fossil fuels and an accelerated clean energy transition, with clean electrification being an important component. Against this backdrop, COP31 should provide an adequate space in the negotiations to discuss mitigation efforts and set the direction for the second global stocktake (GST-2).

Climate resilience is considered a prerequisite for safe, sustainable and prosperous societies and economies. Mitigation and adaptation are therefore complementary and essential to tackling climate change.

Upholding the principle of multilateralism, ministers acknowledged the central role of the United Nations climate change framework and processes, while stressing the importance of all EU member states participating at COP31 and reaffirming the principle of solidarity amongst them.

Biodiversity: key priorities for COP17

In 2022, COP15 agreed on the new global biodiversity framework which sets targets for halting biodiversity loss, including a pledge to protect at least 30% of areas on land and at sea by 2030. During the COP17 negotiations, the EU will stress the need for accelerated action to meet these targets, through mainstreaming biodiversity within and across all policies and sectors, on the basis of solid scientific evidence. The EU will also call for increased public and private funding, particularly by exploring innovative approaches, such as high-integrity nature credits.

Background

Every year, the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations framework convention on climate change meet to determine climate ambitions and responsibilities. This year’s COP31 will take place in Antalya (Türkiye), from 9 to 20 November 2026. On 9 October 2026, the Council approved conclusions on climate finance which complement the EU’s general position ahead of the COP31 climate conference.

The UN Convention on biological diversity takes place every two years. This year’s Conference of Parties (COP17) will be held in Yerevan (Armenia), from 19 to 30 October 2026.

The EU and its member states are parties to both. The rotating presidency of the Council, together with the European Commission, represent the EU at these international conferences.

Source – EU Council