Environment Council to set EU objectives for autumn biodiversity and climate conferences

EU environment and climate ministers will meet in Luxembourg on 12 October for the Environment Council. Ministers are expected to approve the EU’s negotiating positions for this autumn’s United Nations biodiversity and climate conferences. Finland will be represented by State Secretary Mika Nykänen.

Two internationally significant environmental conferences will take place this autumn: the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP17) in Armenia from 19 to 30 October and the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Türkiye from 9 to 20 November.

The conferences aim to accelerate the implementation of the international biodiversity and climate agreements in order to halt biodiversity loss and limit the rise in global average temperatures to agreed levels.

Finland will take part in the negotiations as part of the EU. The conclusions adopted by the Environment Council will form the basis of the EU’s negotiating positions for both conferences.

“Finland is working resolutely in international negotiations to safeguard biodiversity and secure ambitious climate policy decisions. The international goals and rules have already been agreed. What matters now is how countries, businesses, cities, financiers and civil society turn them into practical action. The EU must continue to lead by example in ambitious biodiversity and climate action and remain a reliable partner for cooperation,” says State Secretary Mika Nykänen.

Biodiversity targets require faster implementation

The UN Biodiversity Conference in October will discuss the first global review of the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. According to the review, published last summer, action to improve biodiversity has increased. However, progress remains too slow to achieve the 2030 biodiversity targets. The conference will seek agreement on measures to accelerate implementation.