Tunisia is fully aware of the challenges posed by climate change and has undertaken ambitious efforts to fulfill its international obligations under the Paris Agreement on climate change.
This was stated by the Chief of Staff of the Minister of Environment, Zouhour Methamem Helali, during the Regional Forum which is being held from September 23 to 25, 2024 in Tunis on the theme “Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) 3.0 for the Middle East and North Africa: Ambitious and Achievable NDCs”.
Helali said that Tunisia’s goal is to “reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030, despite the challenges that lie ahead.” To achieve this, “we must innovate and show solidarity, both nationally and internationally,” she added, stressing that climate change is one of the main challenges facing the world today.
“The transition to low-carbon and climate-resilient economies is not just a priority, it is a necessity ,” the official insisted. “This means that by 2030 we must reduce global emissions by 43% and by 2035 achieve a 60% reduction compared to 2019 levels ,” she recalled, adding that the transition to sustainable, equitable and 100% renewable energy systems is essential for achieving climate goals.
This transition must, however, respect human rights and integrate the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Helali stressed, adding that climate strategies must include measures to restore ecosystems, while ensuring that agricultural and food practices become more resilient and sustainable. This implies, she continued, reforming food systems, reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers and promoting agro-ecology, particularly in vulnerable sectors (agriculture and water).
Speaking at the Forum, Team Leader for Environment and Energy at the UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab States, Thomas Pitaud, said that this regional workshop is an opportunity to strengthen countries’ commitments to the Paris Agreements. “The idea is to bring together all the authorities of the different countries in the Middle East and North Africa region to discuss these commitments and examine ways to accelerate their implementation ,” he said, adding that finance ministries must integrate the environment into their planning and development in all sectors.
The regional forum is organized by Tunisia, in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the NDC Partnership, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and in collaboration with the UNFCCC secretariat (UN Climate Change). The aim is to see how the outcomes of COP28, in particular the decision on the GST, can guide national processes aimed at improving the ambitions of future NDCs and contributing to sustainable development. Through peer-to-peer learning, countries discuss best practices and opportunities, thereby accelerating innovative financing models and solutions.
