COP21: EU leaders set out positions

On the opening day of the global climate conference in Paris, national leaders outlined their goals for the talks.

Germany’s chancellor Angela Merkel said developed nations must lead the way in tackling climate change because of their historical responsibility for the problem.

She reiterated her support of the European proposal for a five year review mechanism within the Paris deal. She called for a measuring mechanism to hold countries accountable for their national pledges, known as INDCs in UN jargon.