DG CLIMA is the world’s largest digital platform for climate action. It connects businesses, cities, investors and scientists to help them make informed decisions about climate change and how to act on it. Here we round up the latest DG CLIMA news, so you can stay up-to-date on the latest developments.
What is DG CLIMA?
The European Commission’s DG CLIMA is the lead department for climate action in the EU. It implements and coordinates the Union’s climate change policies, provides scientific advice to the EU institutions and supports international cooperation on climate change. DG CLIMA also promotes sustainable development and clean energy.
DG CLIMA was created in 2009 as a merger of the three existing departments dealing with climate change: the Environment, Trade and Industry Directorate-General (DTI), the European Commission’s Directorate for Climate Action and Environment (ECDC), and the Directorate-General for Regional Development (DGRD).
DG CLIMA’s Mission
Climate change is a global problem that requires a global response. The European Union (EU) has been at the forefront of efforts to address climate change since the 1990s, and the DG Climate Action is responsible for coordinating and implementing EU action on climate.
The DG Climate Action’s mission is to create a stronger, more competitive economy worldwide through improved energy efficiency and an effective response to climate change. We work with our Member States, stakeholders, financial institutions and others to deliver our shared goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 by at least 20% below 1990 levels.
We do this through our work in the following areas:
supporting Member States to implement ambitious climate policies and reduce emissions;
developing and advocating for best practices in energy efficiency and renewable energy;
promoting sound climate-related financial instruments; and
liaising with other international organizations, such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
DG CLIMA’s Key Values
DG CLIMA’s key values are sustainability, equity, collaboration and innovation.
Sustainability is at the heart of everything DG CLIMA does. We believe that it is essential to consider the whole life-cycle of products and services, from extraction to consumption. We aim to reduce our environmental impact as much as possible, while also meeting the needs of our users.
Equity is another important value for DG CLIMA. We believe that everyone should have an equal opportunity to benefit from climate action, regardless of their wealth or status. We work hard to ensure that everyone involved in climate action – from policymakers to businesses – has access to the best information and resources so they can make informed decisions.
Collaboration is another key value at DG CLIMA. We believe that working together is always better than working alone. We aim to build strong partnerships with other actors across the climate change spectrum – from government officials to NGOs – so we can achieve collective goals faster and more effectively.
Innovation is another key value at DG CLIMA. We believe that new ideas are critical if we are going to solve the world’s biggest problems – including climate change. We constantly strive to find new ways to improve our work, and embrace new technologies and approaches whenever possible in order to stay ahead of the curve.
Thank you for considering DG CLIMA as your partner in climate action.
What are DG CLIMA’s Achievements?
DG CLIMA, the European Union’s climate action department, has released a report estimating that the bloc’s greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by up to 42% by 2030 if existing policies are retained. The report also found that with continued investment in renewables and energy efficiency, the emissions reduced could reach up to 63%. DG CLIMA calculates that this would result in savings of €292 billion in 2030.
“The EU is on track to achieve its 2020 climate targets but even more can be done,” said Miguel Arias Canete, Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy. “This report proves that we can cut our emissions by almost 40% while still meeting our 2025 targets – thanks to smart policies and strong commitments from member states.”
Linda McAvan, executive director of WWF-UK, said: “This important report shows how ambitious yet achievable goals are possible if we keep moving forward with clean energy and strong measures to cut pollution from cars. The EU is leading the way on climate action and we must keep up the good work if we’re going to prevent dangerous levels of warming.”
The report comes ahead of a major UN climate summit in Paris this December where negotiators will try to finalize a global agreement aimed at preventing global temperatures from rising more than 2 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels.
DG CLIMA in the News
The Durban Climate Change Conference is now over, but the news stories from the event are still flowing in. Here’s a roundup of some of the most interesting DG CLIMA in the News stories:
1. Germany pledges €123 million for climate-related projects in developing countries
This year’s Durban conference saw a number of global announcements and commitments from countries around the world. One such pledge came from Germany, with Chancellor Angela Merkel announcing that her country will invest €123 million in climate-related projects in developing countries between 2020 and 2025. This money will be earmarked for projects such as renewable energy deployment, adaptation efforts, and cleanup initiatives related to climate change.
2. Unilever invests £250 million into research and development for sustainable agriculture
Another big announcement from Durban came from Unilever, which said it would invest £250 million into research and development for sustainable agriculture over the next five years. This money will be used to develop new technologies and products that can help farmers produce food more efficiently while reducing their environmental impact.
3. Canada commits to make $3 billion annually available for clean energy investment by 2020
Canada also made a number of announcements at Durban related to clean energy investments. First, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that his country would commit to making $3 billion annually available for clean energy investment by 2020 – a increase of 50 percent over current levels. Trudeau also said that Canada is committed to working with other countries to make sure that the global climate change agreement is successful.
4. UNDP pledges $1 billion for climate change mitigation and adaptation
UNDP also made a number of announcements at Durban related to climate change mitigation and adaptation. First, the organization pledged $1 billion over the next five years to support projects such as energy efficiency upgrades, renewable energy investments, and water security initiatives. UNDP also announced that it will create a new office – the Climate Change Unit – to help speed up action on climate change across the UN system.
5. Chile pledges $2 billion in climate finance over next 10 years
Finally, Chile made a big announcement at Durban related to climate finance – pledging $2 billion over the next ten years toward helping developing countries cope with the effects of climate change. This money will be used to support projects such as coastal protection, disaster risk management, and clean energy initiatives.
Conclusion
Did you know that DG CLIMA – DG for Climate Action – is a global environmental nonprofit working to create a future in which humans and nature thrive? We are passionate about climate change, biodiversity, and clean water; we want to help our readers learn more about what we do, how they can get involved, and how they can help us move closer to our vision of a world where people live sustainably with nature. Check out the latest news and blog posts on our website to find out more!
