Under the Paris Agreement, countries develop climate pledges – Nationally Determined Contributions – to help tackle global warming. EU is at the forefront of international efforts to fight climate change, with the current target to achieve 55% of GHG reductions by 2030 EU-wide; and to become carbon neutral by 2050. EU is closely working with Eastern Partners on this.
Eastern Partnership countries are vulnerable to the effects of climate change significantly raising the importance to reduce emissions and prepare for its adverse effects. EU4Climate is assisting countries of the Eastern Partnership with setting new targets for reducing emissions and preparing implementation plans for the new NDCs. All EaP countries increased their ambition in reducing GHG emissions by 2030, compared to the previous NDC cycle (compared with 1990):
Armenia – 40%
Georgia – 35%
Moldova – 70%
Ukraine – 60%
Azerbaijan – 35% as of NDC1 (second NDC cycle is in a final stage).
Armenia, Belarus, Moldova and Azerbaijan – updated NDCs demonstrate increased climate ambitions and set approach to rethinking economic development patterns. Armenia, Georgia and Ukraine – NDC implementation and finance plans; awareness-raising and communicating revised NDC targets.
Developed climate-sensitive policies help to mitigate climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Policy recommendations for climate action mainstreaming into the agriculture and LULUCF sectors for Armenia;
- Guidelines on mainstreaming climate change into energy and agriculture policies for Azerbaijan;
- Assessment of energy policy through a “climate lens” and assessment of climate risks and vulnerability for the waste management sector in Belarus;
- Mainstreaming documents for the health, energy, and agricultural sectors in Georgia;
- Study and recommendations on mainstreaming climate change into the energy policy sector with guidelines on the consolidation of climate and energy planning processes in Moldova;
- Feasibility study on the use of alternative fuels in aviation and waterborne transport as well as review of national construction norms and standards related to cycling infrastructure for Ukraine.
The next step for the implementation of newly developed NDCs is the development of Low Emissions Development Strategies up to 2050.
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