Luxembourg, 23 October 2020 - At the meeting of the Council of Ministers for the Environment of the European Union (EU), in Luxembourg, will be represented by Deputy State Secretary for Environmental Protection Alda Ozola and Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Latvia to the European Union, Ambassador Alice Balode. The meeting will discuss raising climate policy ambitions by setting a more ambitious greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) reduction target of at least 55% by 2030 in Europe, as well as reaching a partial political agreement on the European Climate Act with a view to launching negotiations with the European Parliament as a matter of urgency.
At the meeting, EU national leaders will continue the ongoing active discussions on the proposal for a European Climate Law, with the intention of adopting a partial political agreement on the European Climate Law in Luxembourg, including the increase in GHG emissions proposed by the European Commission (EC). . More ambitious decision-making and policy-making is needed to create the conditions for an effective and fair transition to climate neutrality * in 2050. It is also essential to provide predictability for investors and other economic operators in order to facilitate the transition to climate neutralisation. I. During the meeting, a single and urgent decision by EU leaders on the Biodiversity Strategy should be reached, which sets out four strands of action to strengthen natural values.
Alda Ozola: “In September, at the informal meeting of the Council of Ministers for Environment, EU leaders agreed to decide today on the European Climate Act, so that formal negotiations with the European Parliament could be opened and more rapid progress would be made towards the approval of the European Climate Act. . This is very important because, in order to ensure that current investment planning and decisions are consistent with the transition to climate neutrality, a clearer and stronger signal should be given immediately to investors regarding EU economic development planning over the next decade. s. The “green” recovery following THE recession caused BY COVID-19 will not only provide opportunities for the creation of new economic sectors and jobs and create additional benefits for society by improving public health, it will also help Europe to avoid a serious threat to biodiversity, as well as providing an opportunity to become a world leader in the development and deployment of climate technologies."
On behalf of Latvia Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Latvia to the European Union, Ambassador Alice Balde will support the EC's proposals to raise the EU GHG reduction target by at least 55%. Although this meeting of the Council of Environment Ministers does not intend to reach an agreement on this more ambitious objective, it is important to find a common denominator among EU Member States so that such an objective can be endorsed by the end of the year. . With support for more ambitious objectives, Latvia joins those EU Member States that are important in ensuring the EU's future leadership on climate policy, thereby providing entrepreneurs, investors and the general public with information on the future green, sustainable and climate-friendly development of economic growth chosen by Latvia and Europe.
The national position of Latvia on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulation (EU) No 2018/1999 (European Climate Act) was approved at the meeting of the Cabinet on 21 May 2020. Latvia's national position on the European Commission communication “Reinforcing the ambitions of Europe's 2030 climate policy. . Investment in the future of climate neutrality for the benefit of the population” was approved at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on 29 September 2020.
The meeting will also support the EU Biodiversity Strategy, which is important for nature protection. . It foresees four strands of action: nature conservation, renewal, the establishment of a single management framework and the preservation of natural diversity. U. At the same time, however, Latvian representatives will point to the need for adequate EU financial support, in the implementation of the measures envisaged. Latvia supports the EC's intention to develop an EU Biological Farming Action Plan, including by promoting the growth, promotion and area growth of the organic farming market. . However, the target of at least 25% of EU agricultural land being used in organic farming by 2030 is a challenge and closely correlates with available funding.
During the event, the Luxembourg Presidency promises to strictly respect all security and precautionary measures, which are essential in view of the risks associated with Covid-19.
* climate neutrality is a situation where economic activity and consumption do not have a negative impact on climate. . Achieving climate neutrality is characterised by the balance of greenhouse gases (GHG), namely the reduction of all emissions and the offsetting of non-reduced emissions from plants (g. K. in forests) or underground capture and storage.
Information:
Public Relations Department
Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development
Tel. 20200305; 67026533,
e-mail: prese@varam.gov.lv