In commemorating Europe Day, the European Union (EU) officially launched its €35-million climate action Programme Euroclima incorporating 15 countries from the Caribbean region which now will join the 18 Latin American countries.

The launch took place at Walkers Reserve, an eco-forest located on the east coast of the country, which is also a centre for regenerative agriculture, further highlighting the focus and commitments of Euroclima.

Euroclima is the EU’s flagship Programme for green action to all 33 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and will contribute to the implementation of the Global Gateway Investment Agenda in the region.

After over a decade of successful implementation in Latin America, Euroclima evolves into a stronger and modernised version of the EU and LAC partnership. The Programme will strategically strengthen the long-standing EU-LAC relationship, by implementing flexible and tailored actions involving a broader range of thematic and stakeholders´ scopes from both sides of the Atlantic. This includes a greater emphasis on addressing biodiversity loss and adoption of circular economy principles.

The Programme aims at increasing resilience to climate change of ecosystems and vulnerable communities, including women, youth, and indigenous populations through the implementation of demand-driven actions. Dialogues with the partner countries are ongoing and is the first step in the process of co-creating concrete actions to tackle key development areas that are identified.

To support this work, Euroclima welcomes the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) as a new Implementing Agency (IA) that along with Agence Francaise de Développement, Expertise France and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, will continue to support climate action in the Caribbean.

The Spanish Agency for International Development Co-operation (AECID), the United Nations Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the International and Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policies (FIIAPP) and the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) complete the list of Implementing Agencies of Euroclima in the region.

“Tackling the climate crisis starts and ends with emissions reductions. But to support the climate transition across the world, we also need to make finance flow towards low-emission investments, climate-resilient development and environmental sustainability. With financial needs running into the trillions, we cannot rely on public finance alone. We need to mobilize and enable private finance as well, show investors that it pays off to invest in the energy transition and climate adaptation. Euroclima helps to do just that,” Executive Vice President for European Green Deal, Frans Timmermans.

“Euroclima embodies Global Gateway, the EU’s positive offer to deliver sustainable investments in our partner countries. The Programme will increase partners’ resilience against climate change, help protect the most vulnerable populations and build future-proof services in the region. We will strengthen our climate cooperation in view of the upcoming EU-CELAC summit this July,” European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen.

“As the main vehicle for partnership on the Green Deal in the Latin America and the Caribbean, Euroclima provides a unique opportunity to support ongoing efforts towards a green and just transition and to strengthen intra-regional collaboration,” Malgorzata Wasilewska EU Ambassador to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean States, the OECS, and CARICOM/CARIFORUM.

“The EU and Latin America and the Caribbean are natural partners in the fight against the climate and biodiversity crises, and the extension of Euroclima to the Caribbean will offer new concrete avenues to strengthen this partnership,” Hon. Carlos James, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Sustainable Development and Culture of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, holding the pro-tempore presidency of the Community of Latin America and Caribbean States (CELAC).

“The Global Gateway seeks to improve investments in green, digital and just transition. The EU and Latin America and Caribbean countries work jointly in areas such as renewable energies and Sargassum. Euroclima is a key element to that Investment Agenda”, Félix Fernández-Shaw, Director Latin America, the Caribbean and relations with all Overseas Countries and Territories at the European Commission´s Directorate-General for International Partnerships.