3rd UfM Working Group on Environment and Climate Action- Putting in motion the Greener Med and Climate Action Agenda

14-15 March  2022-The third meeting of the Working Group on Environment and Climate Action will take place on-line on the 14th and 15th March with the aim to advance on the implementation of the 2021 UfM Ministerial Declaration on Environment and Climate Action adopted on 4th October 2021 in Cairo, and to join forces on major actions and gatherings taking place in 2022.

On the first day, attention will be focused on countries’ progress towards the GreenerMed Agenda and Climate Change  work plan, linking with the SDGs; upcoming Biodiversity and Climate COPs; and related supporting projects. While showcasing a dense calendar of 2022 events of common interest, particular attention will be devoted to UNFCCC CoP27 taking place in Egypt, representing a unique opportunity for the Mediterranean region to address the specific challenges of an accelerated climate change with ongoing and forecasted alarming environmental and socio-economic impacts. There will be a Tour de Table consultation on priorities of regional Member States on enhancing the Mediterranean agenda in the upcoming CoP negotiations.

Monitoring and reporting through indicators, satellite data based information, knowledge sharing tools will be highlighted through programmes like Copernicus, MedStat V, Africa Knowledge platform (links to be added)

On the first day, the Greener Med Baseline Assessment Report,  based on almost 100 projects funded by different donors, sets the baseline to track progress towards 2030 both with respect to GreenerMed axes of work – green, circular economy; pollution; biodiversity/ecosystem restoration – and towards the SDGs. These projects have been identified, compiled, and agreed as common, shared package of operational activities to boost action as well as capitalize, upscale, transfer knowledge, capacity, technologies, and practices to the whole region.

In the afternoon, three policy papers will be presented on wetlands as nature based solution; marine litter; and sustainable finance, together with progress in piloting and capitalising best practices on municipal waste within a circular economy approach, and marine protected areas.

The second day will address further developments of the first assessment report on climate in the Mediterranean (MAR1 First Mediterranean Assessment Report – MedECC) in particular, the three thematic reports that are currently being developed, as well as an update on EU projects ClimaMed and Climate for Cities.

A dedicated green, climate investments session will be animated by the EU, EIB, EBRD and Islamic development Bank.

The outcomes of the Working Group will help shape the path towards sustainable, climate-neutral and green economies and operationalise the recommendations already identified in the Ministerial Declaration.