EU Green Week 2020

The new strategy shows how the recovery is an opportunity for a fresh start, in the knowledge that transformative change is possible. It’s a chance to rethink our relationship with nature, to change the activities that are driving biodiversity loss and the wider ecological crisis, and to weigh up the implications for our economy and society. EU Green Week will examine how EU policies such as the European Green Deal can help protect and restore nature, leaving it room to recover and thrive.

This year’s Green Week will also act as a milestone on the path to the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity, now planned for 2021, where world leaders will adopt a 10-year action plan for biodiversity – a new global deal for people and nature.

The opening of the EU Green Week 2020 will take place in Lisbon on 19 October, featuring UNEP’s Susan Gardner, UN-REDD’s Mario Boccucci and the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Elizabeth Mrema.

This will be followed by the High-Level Virtual Conference in Brussels from the 20 to 22 October. Look out for these special sessions co-organised by UNEP: "Nature restoration: a win-win for climate and biodiversity" and "The power of people: How can we live better, lighter and closer to nature?" on 21 and 22 October respectively. The sessions will discuss the role of nature restoration in tackling the biodiversity and climate crises and offer insights on sustainable living and COVID-19 trends, nature-based solutions, and how media and cultural influencers could drive the transformational changes we need.

Be sure to also check out sessions featuring UNEP experts throughout EU Green Week on topics including Zoonotic diseases, invasive species and the wildlife trade; The Ocean and COVID-19; Biodiversity and Business; Earth observation and a ‘Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity’ launch Part 1 & Part 2.

UNEP’s Executive Director, Inger Andersen is also participating in the Closing session of EU Green Week: On the road to Kunming.

In addition, on 21 October, one of the most comprehensive assessments of the state of the environment of the Mediterranean Sea of recent years will be presented. Despite representing less than 1% of the world’s ocean surface, the Mediterranean Sea is home to up to 18% of the planet’s marine species. The decline of Posidonia Oceanica (an endemic seagrass species known as the “lungs of the Mediterranean”), overfishing, and non-indigenous species are among the symptoms of environmental degradation.

The United Nations Environment Programme Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP/MAP) report was produced by Plan Bleu - a UNEP/MAP Regional Activity Centre – and includes key messages for policymakers. To receive the report, please contact Alejandro Laguna: laguna@un.org.

When: 19 - 22 October 2020; Register here.

Find more information here.

Watch video here