The capacity for countries to build transparency for effective climate action gets boost through funding extension of the Initiative for Climate Action Transparency (ICAT)
Format
Bonn, Germany, 16 December 2020
At a time when the world assesses the progress made under the Paris Agreement, global support to help developing countries advance on a key building block of the Agreement was reinforced through the funding extension of the Initiative for Climate Action Transparency (ICAT). ICAT donors extended the Initiative to mid-2026 and committed funding close to USD 35 million, so that more support can be provided to countries in building their transparency frameworks and using them to effectively implement, track and then further enhance their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement.
Digitalisation for the benefit of the environment: Council approves conclusions
The Council today approved conclusions addressing the twin societal challenge of digital transformation and green transition and exploring ways to contribute to building the necessary bridges between them.
The Council underlines in its conclusions the potential of the twin transition for new green and digital job creation necessary for the economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic. It also stresses that the digital transition should be fair and inclusive and should leave no one behind.
Digitalisation is an excellent lever to accelerate the transition towards a climate-neutral, circular and more resilient economy. At the same time, we must put the appropriate policy framework in place to avoid adverse effects of digitalisation on the environment. These conclusions reflect in a balanced way where the EU needs to act to make the most of this twin transition.
LIFE programme – Council Presidency reaches provisional political agreement with Parliament
[Press release updated on 13 January 2021 to include a link to the text following approval by Coreper]
Today the Council presidency today reached a provisional political agreement with Parliament on the extension of the LIFE programme beyond 2020. LIFE is the EU s flagship programme for nature, biodiversity protection and the fight against climate change. From 2021, energy efficiency and renewable energy projects will also benefit from funding via LIFE.
I am very pleased that the Council and Parliament reached an ambitious agreement to improve the LIFE programme. The LIFE programme is one of the EU s key funding instruments for nature, biodiversity, climate action and now clean energy projects. It will be instrumental in helping to implement the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and reach the EU climate neutrality objectives for 2050 in the four corners of Europe and I m glad that we
Council reaches agreement on improving access to justice in environmental matters
The Council today reached a general approach on a proposal to amend the Aarhus Regulation. The Aarhus Regulation sets out how the EU and its member states implement the international Aarhus Convention, which aims to guarantee access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters.
Our environment policies and the way they are implemented affect the daily life of citizens. I m pleased that the agreement on the Aarhus Regulation reached today, will contribute to improving environmental democracy. It will broaden the scope of acts for which a request for review can be introduced and extend the deadlines for such requests. We need a well-functioning system for the members of the public that at the same time acknowledges the specificities of the EU s legal order and judicial system , said Svenja Schulze, Federal Minister for the Environment, Natur
A climate neutral EU - what does it mean?
The Council reached agreement on a
general approach on the proposal for a European climate law, including a new EU greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990, following the guidance of the European Council given on 10-11 December 2020. The main aim of the European climate law is to set into legislation the objective of a climate neutral EU by 2050.
Today we reached an important milestone as regards the proposal for a European climate law. The EU is strongly committed to becoming climate neutral by 2050 and we are sending a strong signal to the world with our reinforced greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of at least 55 % by 2030.