Brussels, 4 March 2020 - The Latvian delegation led by Environment Protection and Regional Development Minister Jura Pūce (AP!) will take part in the political debate on the European Green Course* at the meeting of the European Union (EU) Council of Ministers for Environment in Brussels on 5 March, which is a comprehensive EU growth strategy. Discussions will also take place on the new Action Plan for the circular economy and on greening the European Semester * * in order to reach the EU's climate neutrality.* * * The meeting will also endorse the EU's long-term low greenhouse gas (GHG) development strategy * * * * * and discuss the proposal for an EU climate law * * * * , which will set the way for climate neutrality by 2050.
Minister Juris Pūce: “2020 will be an important year in international negotiations on climate change, as countries are called upon to present renewed plans setting more ambitious GHG reduction targets for 2030. . Latvia, together with several countries of the European Union, sent a letter to European Commission Vice-President Frans Timmerman, responsible for the European Green Course, asking for an increase in the European Union's climate ambitions. The European Green Course highlights the European Union's priorities and planned actions in the areas of climate policy, circular economy and biodiversity conservation, while promoting economic growth and creating jobs that are consistent with Latvia's development priorities. "
The Council of Ministers for the Environment will also be attended by the youth climate activist, Greta Tynberg. She is in Brussels these days and has sent a letter to EU leaders this week on the need to set out more ambitious climate action.
At the meeting, environmental ministers are also expected to express their initial views on the European Commission's proposal for an EU Kimata law published today (4 March), which will provide a legal framework to ensure that all EU policies and sectors contribute to the climate neutrality objective.
Minister Juris Pūce will express his support for the plan proposed by the European Commission for the Action of the Circular Economy, which will affect different sectors of the economy. . The Action Plan for the circular economy includes an initiative to integrate not only the plastic waste sector but also focus on the textile, industrial and electronics sectors, thereby reducing waste and developing waste recycling I. Strengthening the principles of the circular economy in the industrial sector is important in the transition from waste to resource management. . The European Green Course will contribute significantly to raising awareness among all sectors of the need for a new paradigm in the context of the circular economy.
The Council also intends to discuss the “greening” of the European Semester as one of the ways of promoting the sustainability of the European Union, namely the reduction of GHG emissions, better management of land resources and the establishment of support programmes for entrepreneurs. . Minister on behalf of Latvia will support an integrated and systematic inclusion of the UN agenda for 2030 in the European Semester process and the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals I. The EU Environment Action Programme, the European Green Course and the UN Agenda 2030 are complementary and related policies that will contribute to the EU's shift towards environmental sustainability.
The meeting also intends to discuss the assessment of water legislation and the conclusions on the effectiveness of the implementation of the Air Quality Directive.
*Green Course is a new EU growth strategy to create a fair and prosperous society with a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy with greenhouse gas (GHG) net emissions reduced to zero in 2050.
* * The European Semester is a European policy coordination instrument aimed at strengthening EU economic governance. . In turn, greening the European Semester is a way of ensuring that macroeconomic policy is sustainable not only economically and socially, but also ecologically.
* * Climate neutrality is a situation where economic activity and consumption do not have a negative impact on klimat U. Achieving climate neutrality is characterised by the GHG balance, namely reducing all emissions and compensating for non-reduced emissions in plants (g.k. . in forests) or underground capture and storage.
* * * * g. On 28 January, the Cabinet adopted a strategy for achieving the climate neutrality of Latvia by 2050, with strategic directions for sustainable energy, comprehensive energy efficiency, increasing carbon dioxide, greening taxes, resource efficiency and environmentally friendly transport, etc.
* * * Climate law needs to ensure that all EU policies and sectors contribute to the climate neutrality objective. . Under the Green course, the current climate policy legislation is also expected to be revised, as well as new legislation on the circular economy, building renewal, biodiversity, agriculture and innovation.
Other information:
Public Relations Department
Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development
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