DG NEAR, with support from the Clima-Med project, organised an event entitled: Planet on the mend: Climate Action in the Mediterranean on 24 October 2023, in Brussels. The purpose of the event was to raise further awareness of the climate crisis affecting the region, and discuss solutions, best practices and ways forward.  Ms Henrike Trautmann, Acting Director for the Neighbourhood South and Türkiye, opened the day with welcoming words, and stressed the support of the European Union to the countries in the south Mediterranean region in their climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.

Mr Joel Guiot,  senior climate expert at the Mediterranean Expert Group on Environmental and Climate Change (MedECC) gave an insightful presentation on the state of play of climate change impacts in the region, and highlighted the need for scaled-up efforts to address the climate emergency.  Esteemed speakers representing the European Commission, the European Investment Bank and the Agence Francaise de Développement, as well as the Union for the Mediterranean, UN agencies,  international financial institutions, Southern Neighbourhood countries, including cities mayors, and young activists from the region came together to present what is being done to address these challenges and explore innovative  approaches to support climate action, promote greater cooperation and increased access to funding. The event tackled various topics, with a focus on climate financing, local-level climate action, and youth engagement. The conference was very-well attended, with participants joining both in presence and online.

This conference was followed the next day by Clima-Med’s 6th Steering Committee Meeting, which celebrated the project’s significant achievements, including the completion of the Climate Finance Guidebook and the SEACAP Preparation Guidebook. These resources empower local authorities to access climate funding and develop Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans, underlining their commitment to a more sustainable and climate-resilient future. City mayors from several Southern Mediterranean cities provided their perspectives on their roles and initiatives in leading climate action climate action at the local level.

Streaming live still available here.