EU4Climate Projects to Improve Climate Policies kicks off in Georgia

Focusing on Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, the EU4Climate project will support countries to implement the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, improve climate policies and legislation, and reduce the impact of climate change on people’s lives.

In all six countries, the EU4Climate project is being implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) based on agreements with the countries’ governments. The project is funded by the European Union (EUR 8 Million) and co-financed by UNDP (EUR 800,000).

“The Government of Georgia welcomes and appreciates international cooperation and support in mitigating climate change,” said Nino Tandilashvili, Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia. “We are advancing our work in every sector to fulfil Georgia’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 40% below the 1990 levels by 2030.”

“Tackling climate change is our common responsibility,” said Alexandre Darras, Sector Coordinator on Connectivity, Energy, Environment & Climate Change at the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia said. “Through this new project, we will help Georgia lower its greenhouse gas emissions and fulfil its commitments under the Paris Agreement. It will help mitigate climate change and limit its negative impacts on the environment and the life of people.”

Louisa Vinton, UNDP Head in Georgia, noted the developmental potential of national climate actions as they help countries move toward a low-carbon economy.

“From protecting forests to phasing out fossil-fuel vehicles, climate action requires smart and swift solutions that will limit warming and save the planet,” Louisa Vinton said. “Fortunately, UNDP’s experience has shown that taking a greener path can offer win-win solutions that enhance economic growth and create new jobs.”

The EU4Climate project will assist Georgia to fulfill its international commitments in the field of environment and climate. It will help the Government of Georgia to finalize and update Nationally Determined Contributions to the Paris Agreement and national strategies on the implementation of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and establish a system of measurement, reporting and verification to keep Georgia on track to meet the Paris Agreement goals. The project will help mobilize more funds for climate action and make climate adaptation planning more effective.

EU4Climate builds on the achievements of the past cooperation programmes in the Eastern Neighbourhood, such as the EU ClimaEast Programme, which supported climate change mitigation and adaptation in 2013-2017 and in Georgia assisted the rehabilitation of degraded pastures in the Vashlovani Protected Areas.