Green Development Group Ministers Discuss Preparations for COP29
A Green Development Group ministerial meeting, chaired for the first time by Lithuania, was held in Luxembourg ahead of the EU Environment Council. The meeting focused on the European Union's preparations for the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), outlining the EU's priorities for the conference outcomes, the conditions necessary for the adoption of a post-2025 long-term climate finance target, and the readiness of Paris Agreement countries to present new, nationally binding actions beyond 2030 at COP30 next year.
Laura Masiliauskaitė, Chancellor of the Ministry of the Environment and Head of the Lithuanian Delegation, emphasized that the EU is committed to an ambitious climate policy, implementing the "Fit for 55" legislative package, and launching discussions on the EU's 2040 climate target. She underscored the EU's significant efforts to transition energy systems away from fossil fuels, promote renewable energy sources, and increase energy efficiency.
“However, these EU efforts alone are not enough to tackle the climate crisis. We need to encourage all countries globally to raise their mitigation commitments by 2030, implement resilience-building and adaptation measures, and ensure that more countries contribute to the post-2025 international climate finance target, in line with their economic capacity and share of global greenhouse gas emissions,” said Masiliauskaitė.
Lithuania has also set ambitious climate goals, with the National Climate Change Management Agenda (NCCM) aiming for a 70% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels (the EU's "Fit for 55" target is 55%). Additionally, Lithuania is committed to becoming a circular economy and climate-neutral country by 2050.
EU Climate and Green Growth Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra, along with other Heads of Delegation, stressed the importance of EU unity in negotiations and the need to send a clear signal of the EU's intention to achieve a 90% reduction in GHG emissions by 2040. They emphasized the need to encourage third countries to increase their ambition in the fight against climate change and to reach balanced solutions at COP29, with a focus on fossil fuel divestment, renewable energy adoption, and energy efficiency targets.
The Green Development Group, which consists of 19 countries—Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Norway, and Iceland—will continue to play a key role in advancing climate action within the EU and globally.