18/01/2024 10:25
Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Maria Panayiotou highlighted the importance of integrating climate resilience into key sectors, especially agriculture and urban development, in her intervention at the informal meeting of EU Environment Ministers in Brussels, organised by the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU on 15 and 16 January 2024.
In a press release, circulated by the Press and Information Office, participants discussed the European Climate Risk Assessment (EUCRA) report to ensure that future EU policies actively consider and assess the acceptable level of risk and inform about the EU's next policy options.
It is noted that during the discussion, Panayiotou referred to "the multiple challenges we face regarding major climate risks" and stressed that the EU and Member States can work more effectively to increase social and economic resilience by focusing on sectors of the economy that promote climate change adaptation and sustainable development.
She also underlined the importance of integrating climate resilience into key sectors, notably agriculture and urban development, for a coherent EU approach.
Referring to the issue of circular economy, the Minister pointed out that resource-intensive economic growth and unsustainable patterns of production and consumption contribute significantly to the accelerating rate of growth in waste formation, marine pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Speaking on the issue of a fair transition, in her intervention, the Minister said that social dialogue must be ensured so that all Member States are fully informed and therefore no one is left behind in a fair transition.
It is added that in the context of the informal meeting, the Minister attended a working lunch where the strategic objective of achieving climate neutrality within the EU by 2050 was discussed.
The Minister also met with other Environment Ministers from EU member states to exchange views on good practices that could also apply to Cyprus.