ENV - NEWS

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

During this workshop, the European Commission’s DG for the Environment (DG ENV), along with the Joint Research Centre (JRC) and the European Environment Agency (EEA), will present the results and lessons learned from the first edition, and preparations for the forthcoming second edition of the Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook.

The Bern III Conference aims to contribute to the efficient and effective implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) by identifying opportunities to drive and coordinate an inclusive collaborative approach towards implementation of the framework while respecting the respective mandates of biodiversity-related conventions and other relevant multilateral agreements and United Nations.

The overall theme of UNEA-6 is effective, inclusive and sustainable multilateral actions to tackle the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste.

The visit was marked by the Commissioner's active participation in the conference "United for Justice. United for Nature," co-organised by the Office of the Prosecutor General and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of Ukraine. The Commissioner actively engaged in discussions with key Ukrainian officials, emphasising the EU's commitment to supporting Ukraine's green recovery.

The new roadmap will result in a strengthened dialogue to address deforestation and forest degradation and work towards a sustainable forest economy.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.