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29 January 2024
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ENV - NEWS
DG ENV International Updates
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Key events from October to December 2023
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Joint Declaration on Sustainable Water Management signed by EU and Egypt | Dubai, 9 December 2023
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On 9 December 2023, Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius on behalf of the EU and Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Arab Republic of Egypt Hani Sewilam signed a Joint Declaration in the margins of COP28, establishing a sustainable water partnership.
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23rd Meeting of the Contracting Parties of the Barcelona Convention (COP 23) | Portoroz, 4-8 December 2023
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The Contracting Parties pledged radical shifts to decouple economic progress from environmental degradation. Initiatives included the establishment of a Regional Activity Centre on Climate Change, and efforts to conserve at least 30 % of coastal and marine areas by 2030. Decisions were also made on biodiversity, pollution, and waste management, reinforcing the region's commitment to sustainable development and environmental protection.
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Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28 UAE) | Dubai, 30 Nov - 12 Dec 2023
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Sharing the consensus that the climate crisis must be tackled now, the EU and its member states took a leading role in securing a global agreement to scale up climate ambition and finance, and to set new global energy goals.
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Ukraine Green Recovery Conference | Vilnius, 28 November - 1 December 2023
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The conference offered policymakers, mayors and businesses an inspiring glimpse of a better future, of a future to be built on the solid foundations of a sustainable recovery, together with the EU.
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Fourth EU Clean Air Forum | Rotterdam, 23 - 24 November 2023
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Discussions focused on how to further reduce and prevent air pollution. Particular attention was paid to the ongoing revision of EU rules on ambient air quality.
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Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-3) to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution | Nairobi, 13 - 19 November 2023
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Throughout INC-3, Members deliberated on the Chair’s Zero Draft, reviewed a compilation of text incorporating the perspectives of all Members, formulated a validated, co-facilitator merged text, and addressed outstanding issues.
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The 21st session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC21) of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) | Samarkand,13-17 November 2023
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Addressing global challenges such as climate change, food and water security, and forced migration hinges on halting and reversing rapid land loss worldwide, as determined during the five-day conference of the UNCCD.
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77th meeting of the CITES Standing Committee | Geneva, 6 – 10 November 2023
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CITES's commitment to addressing issues beyond mere species listings has expanded its agenda, including the regulation of commercially exploited species like rosewood and sharks. The Standing Committee's (SC) dedication to tackling the impacts of trade regulations on livelihoods, animal welfare, zoonotic diseases, gender, and youth has led to an unprecedented growth in its responsibilities.
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Fifth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury (COP-5) | Geneva, 30 October – 3 November 2023
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COP-5 Parties defined new dates to phase out mercury-added products including cosmetics, strengthened ties with Indigenous Peoples, advanced the first effectiveness evaluation of the Convention, and reached an agreement on a threshold for mercury waste.
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Cairo Water Week | Cairo, 29 October - 2 November 2023
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The 6th edition of Cairo Water Week (CWW) was held under the theme "Action on Adaptation in the Water Sector for Sustainability." The European Union Delegation to Egypt co-organised this event together with the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation and, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
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Fifth Annual Forum on Endocrine Disruptors | Brussels, 19 – 20 October 2023
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The Fifth Annual Forum on Endocrine Disruptors brought together scientists from universities and research centres and from public (local and national authorities and EU institutions as well) and private stakeholders (industry, NGOs) with expertise in the field of endocrine disruptors to exchange information and best practices, identify challenges and build synergies.
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25th Meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical, and Technological Advice (SBSTTA 25) and the Resumed Second Part of the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 15) | Nairobi, 15 – 20 October 2023
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With groundbreaking resolutions and intense deliberations on climate change, invasive alien species, and sustainable wildlife management, the events underscored the urgent need for collaborative action.
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European Business and Nature Summit 2023 | Milan, 11 – 12 October 2023
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The European Business and Nature Summit (EBNS) 2023 witnessed over 450 global leaders converging to accelerate sustainable business models aligned with biodiversity conservation, marking a pivotal moment for the international community committed to the green transition. The event showcased a roadmap for businesses to lead in shaping a net-zero, equitable, and nature-positive future.
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Final Intergovernmental Consultations on Nature-based Solutions | Nairobi, 9 – 13 October 2023
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The intergovernmental consultations on nature-based solutions (NbS) convened by the United Nations Environment Programme in 2022, concluded with Co-Chairs’ recommendations to fortify the deployment of NbS for Sustainable Development and Summaries of Regional Consultations.
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Events from January to March 2024
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Commissioner’s missions
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EU legislative developments
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Political agreement reached on the revision of the Industrial Emissions Directive
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On 28 November 2023 political agreement was reached between the European Parliament and the Council strengthening the current provisions for emissions from industry and large intensive rearing farms. The updated law proposed by the Commission on 5 April 2022 will guide industrial investments necessary for Europe's transformation towards a cleaner, carbon neutral, more circular and competitive economy by 2050.
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Proposal for a Regulation on a Forest Monitoring Framework
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On 22 November 2023 the Commission proposed a Regulation on a forest monitoring framework with the objective to make European forests resilient through provision of open access to detailed, accurate and timely information on the status and trends of EU forests. It will strengthen the Forest Information System for Europe as common database on forest information in Europe.
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Political agreement reached on new Regulation on waste shipments
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On 16 November 2023, political agreement was reached between the European Parliament and the Council on the future new Regulation on waste shipments which will ensure that the EU takes greater responsibility for its waste and does not export its environmental challenges to third countries. The rules will also facilitate the use of waste as a resource. The new Regulation is a contribution to the goal of the European Green Deal of reducing pollution and advancing the circular economy.
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Political agreement reached on new Environmental Crime Directive
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On 16 November 2023 political agreement was reached between European Parliament and the Council on the protection of the environment through criminal law. Proposed by the Commission in December 2021, the new Directive will improve the effectiveness of criminal law enforcement and help achieve European Green Deal objectives by fighting against the most serious environmental offences which can have devastating effects on both the environment and human health.
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Political agreement reached on Nature Restoration Law
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On 9 November 2023 political agreement was reached between the European Parliament and the Council on the new Nature Restoration Law. The new legislation proposed by the Commission on 22 June 2022 aims to restore ecosystems, habitats and species across the EU’s land and sea areas, in order to enable the long-term and sustained recovery of biodiverse and resilient nature, contribute to achieving the EU’s climate mitigation and climate adaptation objectives, and to meet international commitments. It is the EU's key contribution to the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework adopted at the Convention on Biological Diversity COP15 in Montréal in December 2023.
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Proposal of measures to reduce micro plastic pollution from plastic pellets
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On 16 October 2023, the Commission proposed for the first time measures to prevent micro plastic pollution from the unintentional release of plastic pellets. The aim is to ensure that all operators handling pellets in the EU take the necessary precautionary measures.
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