Unfortunately, it is a truth that the climate process has been floundering for a lot of its 22-year history, and almost ground to a complete halt following the Copenhagen negotiations in 2009. However, there is light on the horizon with the Paris negotiations acting as a focal point in 2015. By spring next year, countries need to have submitted their climate targets and contributions on the table.

The first group of countries headed towards serious and considered targets is the EU. The Member States are coming together on March 20-21, 2014 to discuss the Climate Package previously announced in January. Rather than being yet another Brussels-based talk-fest, it will serve as a global litmus test to see how serious governments are in finding real environmental and economic salutations to the climate challenge.

Currently, the proposed climate package announced in January includes a target to cut emissions to 40 percent by 2030 based on 1990 levels and a target for 27 percent renewables in the energy mix by 2030.

The 2030 climate and energy package will also form the basis of the EU’s offer in the international climate negotiations leading to the COP in Paris in 2015. This will be the first offer on the table and needs to inspire the rest of the world towards confident and ambitious climate action.

Read the full article at Huffington Post