As COP22, starts coming to a close in Marrakesh this week with more rules in the fate of the Paris Agreement, US election outcome and and unusual hot Arctic Pole had partcipants worried. While the EU climate commissioner, Miguel Arias Canete has stated that there is still much to be thankful for this year in terms of climate action and limiting emissions he still insisted that more needed to be done in order “to keep the spirit of Paris alive”.

While the EU maintains its commitment to Paris, the majority of its actions will be divulged in the publishing of the Winter package on November 30th. As previously posted, many of changes in the renewable energy directive shall be focused on energy efficiency in the building sector, impacting the use of CHP and Micro-CHP.

During the COP22 session on the 14th on November, the EU and the Union for the Mediterranean announced the launch of a new platform for cooperation on renewable energy and energy efficiency. The platform has been designed to provide discussion forum for energy policy measures and objectives, as well as identify joint initiatives and objectives. The transport sector has also gained a certain amount of momentum, with the growing exploration in the electric and low-carbon vehicle emissions.

Last week, the Partnership for Sustainable, Low Carbon Transport launched a global roadmap for the decarbonization of the transport sector. The partnership puts into contact between international organizations, NGOs and the business sector promoting sustainable transport and focusing on transport in developing countries.

It should equally be noted that so far, only 14 EU member states have ratified the COP21 Agreement. The lack of unity amongst member states at this stage makes for a worrying image whilst the climate fate of the US still remains undecided.

(Photograph: Operation IceBridge/Nasa)