Europe’s top climate negotiator, Frans Timmermans, says the goal of 1.5 degrees is on “life support.” Where does this leave the fight against climate change? How will Brussels continue negotiations with Washington, Beijing, and other global capitals?
FP’s editor in chief Ravi Agrawal interviewed Timmermans after returning from the COP27 summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. The two discussed outcomes from the talks and also how Europe has positioned itself amid growing tensions between the United States and China, and amid the most serious war on its turf in a generation.
Europe’s top climate negotiator explains why countries are failing to set more ambitious climate targets.
Frans Timmermans explains how Brussels navigates a frosty relationship between Washington and Beijing.
Frans Timmermans, Europe’s climate negotiator, on India’s changing attitude regarding climate change.
Europe’s top climate negotiator: Russian President Vladimir Putin is trying to bring Europe to its knees through high energy prices and millions of refugees.
Frans Timmermans
Executive Vice President, European Commission
Frans Timmermans is the executive vice president of the European Commission, leading its work on the European Green Deal. He also leads the European Union’s international climate negotiations. Prior to his current role, he was the first vice president of the European Commission from 2014 to 2019 and served in various posts in the Dutch government, including most recently minister of foreign affairs from 2012 to 2014, and also as a member of the Dutch Parliament from 2010 to 2012.
Ravi Agrawal
Editor in chief, Foreign Policy
Ravi Agrawal is the editor in chief of Foreign Policy and a frequent commentator on world affairs on CNN, MSNBC, NPR, and the BBC. Before joining FP, Agrawal worked at CNN for more than a decade in full-time roles spanning three continents, including as the network’s New Delhi bureau chief and correspondent. Agrawal has shared a Peabody Award and three Emmy nominations for his work as a TV producer, and his writing for FP was part of a series nominated for a 2020 National Magazine Award for columns and commentary. Agrawal is the author of India Connected: How the Smartphone Is Transforming the World’s Largest Democracy. He is a graduate of Harvard University.
