EU environment ministers prepare for upcoming international environment meetings
The EU environment ministers will meet in Luxembourg on Monday 14 October. The topics include the negotiation objectives of the EU for both the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP16) in October and UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in November. The ministers will also exchange views on the progress of the UN Plastics Treaty and on the EU Chemicals Strategy. Minister of Climate and the Environment Kai Mykkänen will represent Finland in Luxembourg.
Comprehensive and transparent monitoring system needed from Cali Biodiversity Conference
The Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) to be held in Cali, Colombia on 21 October–1 November 2024 is the first meeting since the adoption of the new targets to halt the loss of biodiversity in 2022. In the Conference in Cali, the focus will be on the implementation of the targets and how the progress is monitored and measured.
Finland supports the proposal for the Council conclusions. Finland stresses that a strong monitoring mechanism has a key role in terms of effective implementation. In addition, Finland emphasises the cost-effective implementation of the international biodiversity targets and use of innovative sources of funding.
“Besides protection, market-driven actions to strengthen biodiversity are needed. It is important that the EU positions in the negotiations will also include messages concerning ecological compensation, development of the market for natural values, and partnerships between the private and public sector,” Minister Mykkänen says.
Baku Climate Change Conference aims to agree on new finance target, financing from different sources needed
At the Council meeting, the ministers will adopt the conclusions for the Climate Change Conference (COP29) to be held in Baku in November. The Conference should agree on a new, post-2025 climate finance target. Work will also continue to phase out fossil fuels to promote the decisions reached at the Dubai Climate Change Conference.
Finland considers that the conclusions provide a good foundation for the EU’s negotiation mandate for the Baku Climate Change Conference and cover the key targets of COP29.
“It is important to reach an agreement on a new global climate finance target that will also cover other sources than the traditional public financing, and that the group of countries contributing to the financing can be expanded. A strong commitment from countries will also be needed when they present their emission reduction targets next year that these will include a roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels, as was agreed in Dubai,” Mykkänen says.
New Global Plastics Treaty should address the entire lifecycle of plastics
The ministers will also prepare for the meeting on the Global Plastics Treaty to be held in Busan, South Korea on 25 November–1 December 2024. The UN member countries are negotiating on a new legally binding Global Plastics Treaty. The negotiations are based on the need to find solutions to problems that plastics are causing to ecosystems. The aim is to conclude the process by the end of 2024.
“Finland considers it important that the Treaty will address the entire lifecycle of plastics: product design, sustainable production and consumption, safe recycling, preventing emissions and waste management. The level of ambition adopted in the Treaty will determine how the opportunities related to a circular economy of plastics will develop - and how the Finnish and EU solutions to promote a circular economy will succeed in the world,” Mykkänen says.
The ministers will also discuss the EU Chemicals Strategy published by the Commission in 2020. Over lunch, they will exchange views on the Draghi Report. In connection with the Council meeting, Minister Mykkänen will discuss with Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra and Minister of Climate of Estonia Yoko Alender on the EU’s climate policy architecture. The topics to be discussed with Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities of Denmark Lars Aagaard include the capture of carbon dioxide and the 2040 climate target for the EU.
Inquiries
Lyydia Ylönen
Special Adviser to Minister Mykkänen
tel. +358 50 476 1341
[email protected]
COP16 Conclusions
Marina von Weissenberg
Chief Negotiator
tel. +358 50 307 0806
[email protected]
COP29 Conclusions
Marjo Nummelin
Chief Negotiator
tel. +358 40 523 3710
[email protected]
Negotiations on the Plastics Treaty
Tuulia Toikka
Chief Negotiator
tel. +358 40 552 4054
[email protected]
EU Chemicals Strategy
Hinni Papponen
Ministerial Adviser
tel. +358 50 415 6492
[email protected]