EU's foreign affairs ministers have gathered to discuss interlinkages between climate and security issues, implementation of the Paris Agreement, results of the UN Climate change conference COP23 in Bonn and priorities of the EU climate policy in 2018.

Council Conclusions of Climate Diplomacy of 28 February 2018 emphasized the unprecedented urgency to step up global efforts to halt and reverse climate change and reiterated that the EU will continue to lead the way in the global pursuit of climate action, so as to fully implement the Paris Agreement and to achieve the 2030 Agenda. The Council also underlined the importance of the next UN climate conference (COP24) in December in Katowice, Poland. 

 The Council recognized that climate change has direct and indirect implications for international security and stability, reinforcing environmental pressures and disaster risk, forcing the displacement of people and exacerbating the threat of social and political unrest. In this context, the Council is concerned with the deterioration of the world’s water resources, as well as the growing threat posed by water scarcity. 

The Council is, thus, determined to promote sustainable management of water and land and to further mainstream the nexus between climate change and security in policy dialogue, development and humanitarian action. EU will encourage the UN Security Council to increase its focus on the climate and security nexus. Being aware of the need to translate nationally determined contributions (NDC) into actionable domestic policies and measures, the Council expressed its determination to address the significant gap between the aggregate effect of current NDCs and aggregate emission pathways consistent with holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels. In this context, EU stands ready to continue cooperation with all partners, including the most vulnerable countries, at all levels. As regards climate finance, EU reaffirmed its commitment to scale up the mobilisation of international climate finance, as part of the collective developed countries' goal to jointly mobilise USD 100 billion per year by 2020 through to 2025 for mitigation and adaptation purposes. The Council underlined the importance of continued action and leadership by G20 and G7. EU will reinforce efforts to strengthen existing and seek new alliances with countries in all regions to mitigate climate change. 

 The Council calls for a joined-up approach between climate policies and policies on trade and investment. Mutual supportiveness of trade and climate policies should include tackling tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade and investment in renewable energy. The Council also emphasized the need to enhance efforts to tackle emissions for international shipping and aviation, in close collaboration with International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). 

EU identifies the Talanoa Dialogue as a central theme for EU climate diplomacy in 2018 which will allow the EU and its Member States to enhance mutual understanding and trust and to complete the Paris Agreement Work Programme at COP 24. 

 Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Cañete said: 

 "With 2018 a crucial year for accelerating our work to turn the Paris Agreement into action, the EU is stepping up its efforts to reach out to countries and stakeholders all around the world. We are determined to continue playing a leading role in delivering on the promises of the Paris Agreement – and we want everybody on board."