International conference on climate action in the Mediterranean, to be held in preparation of the COP22
On September 8th Morocco’s capital city of Rabat will host an international conference on “Climate Action in the Mediterranean”. The conference, organized by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), features three panels, dedicated respectively to climate change adaptation, mitigation and climate finance. How climate action can contribute to meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Mediterranean region, will also be a focus of debate at the conference.
The 1st panel, “From Paris to Marrakesh – The road travelled since COP21” will look into the progress made since the Paris conference (COP21). The discussion will address the implementation of the Paris Agreement, including progress on regulations, strategies and investment plans for both mitigation and adaptation. The importance of understanding the interactions between mitigation and adaptation, and the importance of cooperation among different stakeholders will also be reviewed. The EIB, one of the major providers of climate finance, will present how it can contribute to help to turn climate commitments into reality: by offering its expertise, mobilizing the necessary finance and getting the private sector on board for the considerable investments that will be needed in the years ahead.
The second panel, “Why it matters in the MED region”, will look into ways of increasing support for adaptation in the region. Accelerating adaptation actions in the Mediterranean region are necessary as climate change is increasingly affecting fundamental aspects such as water availability, food production and the safety and quality of life in urban areas. Participants will tackle the urgent need to implement adaptation measures and showcase what the EIB can do to support Mediterranean countries to face this emerging threat.
The third panel will debate issues related to “Climate Finance” in support of national climate action plans. The experts will highlight the various climate financing tools and advisory services available in the region. It is anticipated that panelists will emphasize the importance of cooperation between public institutions and private sectors for the financing climate projects.