European Commissioner for Climate Action visits Zambia

Europe Zambia

BRUSSELS, 09 November 2023 / PRN Africa / -- Mr Wopke Hoekstra, European Commissioner for Climate Action, visited Zambia on 8 November, in preparation of the upcoming COP28 UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai, UAE. Zambia currently holds the Chair of the African Group of Negotiators and will be a key interlocutor in Dubai.

The Commissioner met with President Hakainde Hichilema and Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Hon. Collins Nzovu. Parties discussed on climate action, including critical challenges related to mitigation and adaption, as well as joint ambitions and objectives for COP28.

Commissioner Hoekstra emphasized the urgency for global action to keep the 1.5°C objective within reach. Accordingly, global greenhouse gas emissions must peak by 2025 at the latest and then continue to decrease rapidly. The European Union and its member states are well on track to achieve their objective to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% in 2030 and become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. In line with that, the European Union adopted necessary regulations and targets, which are being implemented by the governments as well as the private sector.

Ahead of the COP28, Commissioner Hoekstra called for increased global action: “The European Union currently accounts for about 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions and we are working to bring that to net-zero by 2050. Climate change is a global crisis, so we must ensure that emissions go down across the globe, especially from the major emitters in the G20.” He added that: “In the short term, cutting energy-related emissions will have a big impact. At the COP28, the European Union will therefore push for an agreement to triple global renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030. We also need to increase support for adaptation and agree to peak global emissions before 2025. With enough progress on mitigation, we will also be able to launch the loss and damage fund in Dubai this year.”

During his visit, the Commissioner and the Minister of Green Economy and Environment signed the Roadmap for the EU-Zambia Forest Partnership, which will guide implementation of joint actions in the forestry sector. They shared views and experiences related to deforestation, the impact of charcoal use on climate and health, the need to make agriculture and food systems more sustainable, and ways to advance on climate finance and carbon markets.

The European Commissioner for Climate Action asked for Zambia’s support to the Call to Action for Paris Aligned Carbon Markets and extended an invitation for President Hichilema’s participation at the European Commission President von der Leyen’s “Leaders Event on Carbon Markets”, which will take place on 1st December 2023 at COP28 in Dubai.

In his meeting with business stakeholders active in banking, impact investment, agri-business, conservation, waste management, circular economy, renewable energy, clean cooking and business advisory, the Commissioner discussed concrete challenges and opportunities for Zambian micro and small-size enterprises to accelerate and support Zambia’s energy transition and domestic climate action.

To conclude the visit, Commissioner met representatives of the Youth Sounding Board, including representatives of the Local Conference of Youth on climate, the two award winners of the EU funded “SHIFT – Find the Green Tamanga” competition, climate reporting media award winners and climate influencers. “Keep pushing for action and make your voice heard ahead of and during the COP28”, Commissioner encouraged the young activists.

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SOURCE European External Action