Mediterranean Climate Change Expert Group confirms commitment to step up joint efforts in addressing climate change

Barcelona, 16 October 2014. The Union for the Mediterranean Climate Change Expert Group (UfM CCEG) met for the first time on 13-14 October at the headquarters of the UfM Secretariat in Barcelona to kick off cooperation on climate action in the Mediterranean region. Climate experts from the UfM member states, the EU and a number of stakeholders and international financial institutions such as UNEP/MAP, EIB and EBRD agreed on a work plan for 2014-2015 as well as on modalities for cooperation.

This regional climate change expert group was established at the UfM Ministerial Meeting on Environment and Climate Change in May 2014 to foster the exchange of information and best practices across the entire Mediterranean region, as well as to promote the development of concrete projects and initiatives related to sustainable low emission and climate-resilient development within the context of domestic policy planning and implementation.

A second meeting is tentatively scheduled for the first quarter of 2015. Topics for discussion currently include climate data, bridging the gap between science and policy-making, and linking resource and energy efficiency directly to concrete proposals for initiatives and projects.

The UfM CCEG also aims to support preparations by UfM member states towards an ambitious and all-inclusive climate agreement to be adopted next year in Paris under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Key topics for discussion include the mitigation of and adaptation to climate change, the role of the energy sector, mainstreaming of climate considerations, climate finance, the role of the private sector and local authorities, climate data and communication as well as the benefits of early climate action.

More information

• UfM Climate Change Expert Group work plan 2014-2015
• UfM Climate Change Expert Group  operational modalities