After a tumultuous night at the negotiations which saw many-core negotiating issues pushed back or even pushed aside to next year, Environmental Ministers addressed the UN highlighting their priorities in the fight against climate change.
Here we present to you today’s key moments from the main developed countries present.
Credits: UNFCCC.
finland and The european union
“The European Union is EU biggest climate finance donor” insisted Mr Frans Timmermans, First Vice-President of the European Commission in his joint statement with Ms Terhi Lehtonen, State Secretary, Ministry of the Environment of Finland, in the representation of the European Union.
The following are some of the key points both representatives made today:
- Looks forward to securing operational outcomes for market measures and avoiding double counting.
- Regarding the work to come, the “EU has applied ambitious climate policies that enable them to decouple economic growth from emissions.”
- Tomorrow the EU Commission will present the European Green Deal: EU climate neutral by 2050 and makes this Europe’s new growth strategy.
- By early 2020 EU will submit their long term strategy to the UNFCCC.
- EE is the biggest climate finance donor, with around 40% of the world’s public finance that equals USD 21.7 billion in 2018.
australia
After Australia’s intervention during the High-Level segment, delivered by Mr Angus Taylor, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reductions of that same country, there’s no doubt that they are “focused on technology as a way to drive down emissions.”
The following are some of the key points made today:
- Technology Investment Right Map: enduring and strategic approach to Australia’s low emission technology investments.
- Last month, Australia launched its hydrogen strategy, looking to take actions for the development of a hydrogen industry.
- Renewable energy investments: last year, renewable investment was the countries highest on record employing billions of people.
- Renewable now 25 per cent of their electricity supply.
- Australian Green Energy Finance Corporation – their Green Bank – mobilised 20 billion dollars in new investments. Australian Renewable Energy Agency has provided 1.4 billion to increase renewable energy supply in the country.
- 3.5 billion dollars climate solution package announced earlier this year which aims to reach and exceed Australia’s NDCs.
- Delivering 1 billion 2015-2020 compromise on funding for their partners in Pacific nations. Additional 5 billion from 2020 to help Pacific nations on clean energy investments and disasters resilience.
norway
“We are still waiting for some of the bigger emitters” was one of the most prominent points of the Norweigan statement delivered by Mr Ola Elvestuen, Minister of Climate and Environment of the northern country.
The following are some of the key points:
- As the representative of the G77 also did, Norway’s representative states that “many countries have pledges stronger climate targets under the Paris Agreement, including Norway. However, we are still waiting for some of the bigger emitters”.
- Insisted on the need for clear market mechanisms under Article 6 and a robust transparency framework.
- Nature-based solutions as the best examples of adaptation and mitigation.
The Norweigan representative didn’t talk about the actions that the country has taken, is taking or will take towards climate action.
germany
The German “Climate Action Programme”, summarised by Ms Svenja Schulze, Minister of Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety of Germany, was one of the most prominent policies that came out from a developed country during the High-Level segment.
The following are some of the key points:
- The German Government has done 2019 the year of action on climate change mitigation.
- In October it was adopted a Climate Action Programme 2030: will ensure that climate targets are met by reducing 55% its emissions compared to 1990 and aims to be climate neutral by 2050.
- This last makes sure that every sector is involved in a legally binding way and it changes the way it works if needed.
- They are investing 45 billion euros into making climate-friendly practices cheaper and more attractive. They will establish a carbon pricing system to ensure that climate-damaging practices become more expensive.
- Clear time table for a coal phaseout and supporting the regions with an expansion on renewable energy.
- At this COP, Germany advocates for strong market mechanisms aiming for additional climate action.
- Will be doubling its contribution to the Green Climate Fund to 1.5 billion euros and doubling its contribution to climate finance in 2020 to 4 billion euros compared to 2014.
- Will also provide an additional 60 million euros towards ecosystem-based approaches to climate change adaptation especially on small island states.
- Will also contribute an additional 30 million euros to the Adaptation Fund.