Climate change has emerged as one of the most important issues facing humanity in the 21st century. The six EU Eastern Partnership countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine) face water and energy shortages and a broad spectrum of climate-related and geophysical problems. With more frequent and severe meteorological hazards, rural and urban populations across the sub-region are likely to become more vulnerable, while the overall costs of adaptation are projected to increase dramatically. Economies in the region are characterized by high levels of energy intensity and inefficiency, relying on fossil fuels for over 80 percent of their energy needs. Climate change will exacerbate current pressures on natural resources and ecosystems. The region’s challenge will be to shift to a low-carbon development model, while at the same time shielding people from the consequences of catastrophic climate change and disasters.

To tackle the climate-related issues in the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries, EU and UNDP will provide support to national governments in the development and implementation of climate-related policies through the EU4Climate project.

Project summary

The EU4Climate project aims to contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation and development towards a low-emissions and climate-resilient economy in line with the Paris Agreement in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.

Based on the countries’ commitments under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the Eastern Partnership policy initiative "20 Deliverables for 2020”, and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the project will ensure the application of various climate change mitigation and adaptation measures to achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions and deal more effectively with the effects of climate change.

The project will be implemented through the following components:

·         Implementation and update of nationally determined contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement.

·         Development of national mid-century, long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategies.

·         Introduction of robust domestic emissions monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) frameworks, and the strengthening of existing ones.

·         Alignment with EU acquis included in bilateral agreements and the Energy Community Treaty (when applicable).

·         Mainstreaming climate in other sectors, interinstitutional awareness (on policy and technical level) and development of sectoral guidelines for the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

·         Climate investment.

·         Adaptation planning, with special focus on adoption and, when necessary, development of adaptation plans (national and sectoral).

Expected results

·         Finalized or updated nationally determined contributions and national mid-century strategies, communicated to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

·         Improved inter-institutional awareness and coordination at the political and technical level of the Paris Agreement, and corresponding national commitments.

·         Established or strengthened MRV systems, with countries getting on track with Paris Agreement transparency requirements.

·         Advanced alignment with the EU climate acquis, as provided by bilateral agreements with EU and in the context of Energy Community Treaty, on climate matters that are not covered by the EU4Energy programme.

·         Establishment of concrete sectoral guidelines for the implementation of the Paris Agreement in each of the Eastern Partners.

·         Increased mobilization of climate finance.

·         Adoption of national and sectoral adaptation plans.

Should you be interested in providing analytical support to the work of the project, please leave your contacts by filling in the form.