Legislators must collaborate to keep climate action on course
29 April 2025
In this occasional blog series, Pascal Canfin, former French development minister and current Member of the European Parliament, calls for greater transnational collaboration on ambitious legislation such as the European Green Deal, to keep climate action on course in a pivotal year.
2024 marked a record rise in global temperatures, surpassing 1.5°C for the first time. Some scientists predict that the 2°C threshold could be reached before the end of the next decade. This challenge is further compounded by the growing spread of anti-climate narratives and misinformation worldwide, which pose a significant obstacle to climate action. In response, fostering transnational dialogue and collaboration among like-minded policymakers worldwide remains essential to advance the goals set by the Paris Agreement.
As a Member of the European Parliament and former Chair of the ENVI Committee, I have been actively involved in shaping and implementing the European Green Deal and remain fully committed to its ongoing development. While this ambitious package was not negotiated at the global level, its impact extends well beyond Europe, influencing trade, value chains, and local practices worldwide. The European Green Deal represents an unprecedented set of legislations designed to align the EU economy with the trajectory we committed to in Paris—namely, achieving climate neutrality by 2050 and limiting global warming to below 2°C. As one of the world’s largest economic markets, the European Union has a particular duty to ensure that its environmental measures remain fully compatible with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. We are therefore committed to adopting fact-based, non-discriminatory approaches that support a fair and inclusive transition.
In this context, the GLOBE network provides a great platform for dialogue on Green Deal policies that have direct implications for both EU and non-EU countries. The challenge lies not only in Europe’s direct contribution to emissions reductions but in ensuring that its climate policies and financial support generate the greatest global benefit.
Among others, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), adopted in 2022, is designed to prevent carbon leakage by ensuring that imported goods are subject to the same carbon price as those produced within the EU. Similarly, the Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR) directly impacts countries that export key commodities such as coffee, palm oil, and soy to the European market. By setting ambitious sustainability criteria, this regulation extends the reach of European environmental policies to producers worldwide, reinforcing the global significance of our legislative decisions.
Beyond those regulations, the Green Deal also seeks to reduce Europe’s environmental impact abroad. A key example is the EU’s recent ban on plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries. It marks a significant step in curbing pollution and promoting responsible waste management globally.
In this context, I strongly advocate for direct engagement among parliamentarians worldwide to develop practical, effective policies and share best practices for their implementation. At a time when the United States is retreating from multilateral climate initiatives, it is important for us, as legislators, to sustain and deepen our dialogue. This is not merely an opportunity but a shared responsibility—to forge alliances, strengthen mutual understanding, and drive the global climate agenda forward.
The COP scheduled for November 2025 in Brazil will be especially significant, as it marks the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement—the cornerstone of global climate governance. Yet, while these institutional negotiations are essential, they must be complemented by continuous engagement among like-minded Members of Parliament across the world.
Therefore, I am delighted to join the GLOBE International network to advance and foster collaborative work on these global issues.
Pascal Canfin MEP
Member, European Parliament
