European leaders call for ambition ahead of climate talks

BERLIN — Leaders from 16 European countries have joined forces to call for greater efforts to curb global warming ahead of international climate talks next month.

Presidents and prime ministers from Cyprus to Sweden released a declaration Friday calling climate change "the key challenge of our time" and noting that its effects were seen in this summer's European heatwave.

The declaration, spearheaded by Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, says measures to keep global warming at 1.5 Celsius by reducing emissions offer significant opportunities for economies and societies.

The signatories also include presidents of Germany, Italy and Greece, but not of Poland, which is hosting the Dec. 2-14 talks in the southern city of Katowice.

Negotiators will seek to finalize the framework of the 2015 Paris climate accord and discuss new targets for 2025.

AP