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<ref>"United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change", retrieved from http://newsroom.unfccc.int/ )</ref>
The [[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change|UNFCCC]] also has an operating entity of the financial mechanism on an ongoing basis - '''The Global Environment Facility'''. This entity also '''manages two special funds''' established by the Parties: the '''Special Climate Change Fund'''; and the '''Least Developed Country Fund'''.<ref>"The Global Environmental Facility", retrieved from: http://www.thegef.org/about-us</ref> The EU is the largest contributor of climate financing and it still aims to scale up climate financing with the goal of 20% of its budget being spent on climate action by 2020. <ref>Article “Financing Adaptation”, retrieved from: https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/adaptation/financing_en</ref>
In terms of international cooperation, the EU has set policies, legislation and initiatives for more efficient use of less polluting energy, cleaner and more balanced transport options, more environmentally friendly land-use and agriculture, more sustainable cities, more climate-resilient communities and fewer emissions from all sectors of our economy.<ref>"Adaptation to climate change", retrieved from: https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/adaptation_en</ref>
[[File:Targets.png|thumb|Image 3 - Possible 80% cut in greenhouse gas emissions in the EU]]
In terms of internal policy, the EU leaders have also established the [[2020 climate and energy package]] in 2007, that has become '''legally binding''' under EU law in 2009. This package is meant to ensure that the EU meets its 2020 targets for energy and climate targets - 20% cut in GHG’s emissions, 20% renewable energy in the EU and 20% energy efficiency improvement. <ref>"2020 climate & energy package", retrieved from: https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/strategies/2020_en</ref> Building on the [[2020 climate and energy package]], the EU has also established the '''2030 climate and energy framework''' with the goal of approaching a low carbon economy - 40% cut in GHG’s emissions, 27% renewable energy in the EU and 27% energy efficiency improvement.
<ref>"2030 climate & energy framework", retrieved from: https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/strategies/2030_en </ref>
The use of soft power sources, identified as “culture”, “political institutions” and “foreign policy” becomes especially relevant when it comes to the BRICs. How can the '''EU influence''' these economic powers that are still now deciding between fossil fuels or clean energy and human rights or economic growth? We must also take into account that the path the BRIC’s choose now will also influence the future of the countries that are going to be in the spotlight of development soon, such as Colombia, Nepal, Indonesia and the Balkan countries.
The '''EU’s stance''' on climate justice is that financial support to developing countries should be based on '''"low carbon development strategies"''' developed by them. These should set out which measures a country can take without additional financial and technical assistance. The [[European Commission]] also proposes that developed countries can contribute via the use of '''carbon crediting mechanisms and public funding'''. Public financial contributions should be based on emission levels and each country’s economic capability<ref>"Climate action", retrieved from: https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/international/cooperation_en</ref>.
In terms of International Cooperation, in order to achieve the [[UN 2030 agenda for sustainable development|UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development]] the first step is the '''mapping exercise of external policies'''. It also needs to identify the real gaps that exist between current external policies and the future ones. For this, the EU needs to make civil society organisations in third countries '''real partners in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.''' The [[European Commission]] has drafted a [http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/sites/devco/files/swd-key-european-actions-2030-agenda-sdgs-390-20161122_en.pdf document] establishing the '''priorities, policies, funds and other actions''' cover all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This document assures they provide a '''significant contribution''' to the implementation of the SDGs, both within the EU and through EU external action.
The supreme decision-making body of the [[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)|UNFCCC]] - the '''[[Conference of the Parties|COP]]''' - has representantives of all the countries that are part of the Convention and is the biggest annual meeting to debate climate change. '''COP 22''' took place in 2016 and marked the transition from the main discussion being developing the [[Paris Agreement]] to how to better implement it. '''COP 23''' will take place in November 2018 and will for sure debate the best '''international approach''' to dealing with the opting out of the [[Paris Agreement]] by the United States of America and the '''future of the Agreement'''. What should the EU's stance be in COP 23?
== Other Important Stakeholders ==
