We need a combination of different fuels and technologies EU Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius

Caspian Energy (CE): Mr. Commissioner, which specific tasks, concerning environmental protection and biodiversity, did the European Union set for the participants of the COP 26 Summit in Glasgow held in November 2021? 

Virginijus Sinkevičius, EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries: Science tells us that climate change and biodiversity loss are interdependent and we know that both emergencies need to be addressed together. The climate crisis has a severe and direct impact on biodiversity, but protecting biodiversity and restoring ecosystems is a tool to fight climate change and an excellent means of countering the effects of climate change. This is why the EU supported the UK COP26 nature campaign integrating ele­ments on the relationship between biodiversity and climate. 

Since biodiversity-related issues are cross-cutting and featured in various multi-lateral processes, the EU will con­tinue to highlight the interlinkages and emphasise synergies. The EU remains strongly committed to strengthening the synergies between the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, including alignment with the Post-2020 Global Framework for Biodiversity. The EU is actively supporting the key international processes ahead, such as the Conference of the Parties (COP15) of the UN Biodiversity Convention with the proposed 30x30 target – achieving 30% of protected areas on land and 30 % on sea by 2030; the negotiations on a binding international treaty to protect ocean biodiversity beyond national jurisdictions; Marine Protected Areas in Antarctica; and a greater climate ambition at COP26 to reach net zero emissions by 2050. 

We also wish to advance measures such as nature-based solutions to mutually reinforce co-benefits for climate mitigation and adaptation, and halt biodiversity loss. We agreed Europe’s first ever Climate Law, which enshrines the EU commitment to reaching climate neutrality by 2050. We have also agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030. 

In addition, the ocean-climate-biodiversity nexus is essential for the EU and an integral part of our policies, such as the European Green Deal and EU policy on International Ocean Governance. Silos need to be broken down: the ocean is part of the climate and biodiversity debate and vice versa. The ocean is also an integral part of our new Adaptation Strategy adopted early this year. We believe that action should be taken both domestically and internationally. 

You can count on the EU to engage constructively on this frontWe are looking forward to achieving an ambitious, shared outcome for biodiversity-ocean-climate action.