European Commission Daily News 26th Feb

Commission and UN Environment Programme agree to reinforce cooperation in tackling the crises in climate, biodiversity and pollution

Today, the European Commission represented by the Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) represented by its Executive Director Inger Andersen, agreed to enhanced cooperation between the two institutions for the period 2021-2025. A stronger focus on the promotion of circular economy, the protection of biodiversity and the fight against pollution lie at the heart of the new agreement for greater cooperation. Commissioner Sinkevičius said: “I welcome this new phase of cooperation with the UN Environment Programme that will help us to implement the European Green Deal and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, but also to form a strong alliance ahead of crucial summits, which are to take place later in the year.” In a virtual session, Commissioner Sinkevičius and Executive Director Andersen signed a new Annex to an existing already since 2014 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The signing of this document is very timely. It takes place following the fifth UN Environment Assembly meeting last week and the launch of the Global Alliance on Circular Economy and Resources Efficiency (GACERE), while the global community seeks to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and the pressing climate, resource and biodiversity emergencies. The partners underscored the need to mobilise all areas of society to achieve a green-digital transition towards a sustainable future. More information is in the news release. 

Read the European Commission Daily News in full here.