Rédaction Africa Links 24 with MENA
Published on 2024-02-14 10:17:51
Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad of Egypt expressed the country’s strong desire to collaborate with the European Union (EU) on the implementation of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) in order to further advance its green transition. Minister Fouad emphasized the importance of establishing a clear roadmap for Egypt’s execution of the CBAM that aligns with national priorities and social considerations.
These statements were made during a meeting on Tuesday, 13th February 2024, between Minister Fouad and Gerassimos Thomas, the Director General for Taxation and Customs Union of the European Commission, and their respective delegations. The discussions focused on exploring opportunities for collaborative efforts in realizing the goals of the CBAM.
Attending the meeting were also EU Ambassador to Egypt Christian Berger, Raouf Saad, an advisor to the environment minister for multilateral agreements, and Amr Abu Aish, the secretary general of the coordinating secretariat for the Egypt-EU Partnership Agreement.
Minister Fouad reiterated Egypt’s unwavering commitment to addressing the impacts of climate change in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She underscored Egypt’s initiatives, such as the launch of the 2050 National Climate Change Strategy and the updating of its National Contributions Plan, which includes a target to raise the proportion of renewable energy in the country’s energy mix to 42 percent by 2030. Additionally, she highlighted Egypt’s efforts to reduce industrial emissions through an energy efficiency program and the Environment Ministry’s Industrial Pollution Control Program (EPAP).
Gerassimos Thomas, in turn, commended Egypt as a promising candidate for the application of the CBAM, especially considering its strong commitment to driving the green transition. He also noted that the EU has allocated 5.8 billion euros to Egypt, with over 50% of these funds being directed to support green transition initiatives. Thomas further indicated that EU allocations to Egypt are projected to increase to 9 billion euros by 2027.
Furthermore, he explained that the CBAM is primarily aimed at reducing carbon emissions in heavy industries, including but not limited to cement, aluminum, and fertilizers, by imposing governing standards for products imported into EU countries.
The collaboration between Egypt and the EU on the CBAM is indicative of the shared commitment to combatting climate change and promoting sustainable development. By working together, both parties seek to ensure that economic growth and progress are achieved in an environmentally responsible manner. As Egypt continues to make strides in its green transition, the partnership with the EU is poised to play a significant role in driving positive change.
Read Original article on Egypt Independent
