Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider is travelling to France today to take part in the G7 Environment Ministers' Meeting in Paris. The meeting will focus on issues such as expanding marine conservation and protection, tackling illegal fishing, financing biodiversity measures and enhancing protection of global water resources. Discussions will also address how to make buildings more resilient in the age of climate change. Exchanges are also planned on further implementation of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.
Federal Environment Minister Schneider commented: "We are faced with the task of jointly addressing climate action and environmental protection, economic development and energy security. Experience from discussions at the Petersberg Climate Dialogue has shown that the international community expects concrete progress from the leading industrial nations – on financing biodiversity, protecting oceans and water resources and in the fight against illegal fishing. Reliable multilateral cooperation is essential for combating the major problems of today. Those who steer the course today to renewable energy sources, efficient resource use and the protection of our natural foundations of life will become less dependent on fossil imports, and are less vulnerable to geopolitical blackmail and volatile markets. This policy enhances energy sovereignty and economic strength, and secures long-term prosperity. The discussions at the Petersberg Climate Dialogue made it clear that a majority of the international community sees precisely these connections."
The French G7 Presidency also invited government representatives from non-G7 countries, including the Presidencies of the UNFCCC, UN CBD and UNCCD negotiations taking place this year: Australia, Türkiye, Armenia and Mongolia. Brazil, India, Kenya and South Korea were also invited.
In Paris, the environment ministers aim to agree on political statements on tackling increasing desertification, greater action on illegal fishing and more cooperation on protecting water resources, in particular protection against chemical pollution. They will also welcome three initiatives from the French Presidency on biodiversity financing, resilience of the buildings sector and improved management of marine protected areas.