- Posted 21-Jun-2021
Union for the Mediterranean Ministers sign declaration on clean energy transition
Ministers from the 42 member countries* of the Union for the Mediterranean have signed a declaration underlining their commitment to decarbonising the energy sector in the fight against climate change
At the third Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) ministerial meeting on energy , the agreed text confirms the intention to set a new clean energy transition pathway for the region, as well as priorities for strengthened regional cooperation in the energy sector. The declaration was agreed by ministers this morning at a meeting in Lisbon hosted by Portuguese Minister for Environment & Climate Action João Pedro Matos Fernandes, representing the EU Council Presidency, and co-chaired by EU Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson and (via videolink) Jordan’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Hala Zawati. UfM Secretary-General Nasser Kamel was also present in Lisbon, with all other ministers/high level representatives connected by videoconference.
The declaration, adopted by consensus on 14 June, underlined the importance of setting a new clean energy transition ambition for the region. It referred to accelerating the implementation of ambitious roadmaps and targets for increased energy efficiency application, and facilitating the deployment of renewable energy production units. It spoke of addressing the challenge of making the gas sector sustainable by promoting low carbon gaseous energy, notably clean hydrogen and its derivatives, and reducing methane emissions. It called for increased cooperation on innovation and knowledge exchange and improving market integration and interconnectivity. It acknowledged the importance of investment, not only calling for actions to step up public and private investments in sustainable renewables, green hydrogen in energy efficiency, but also underlining the importance of facilitating the financing of energy projects and ensuring the consistency of interventions in the energy sector. The declaration also underlined the need to increase public awareness about energy, climate and environmental issues, especially with younger generations.
* The 27 EU Member States and 15 non-EU Mediterranean countries (Albania, Algeria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Mauritania, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Palestine, Tunisia and Turkey; Syria’s membership is currently suspended;)
Source: European Commission I News (https://bit.ly/3zQYR4b)