Extending the Conversation: Q&As with Dr Michael Pulch. EU Ambassador to Australia
Part 2 of 2.
1.How soon can we start to see regulation and policy from Governments around existing materials from non-renewable resources, and seeing them replaced (where suitable) with plant-based alternatives?
In the EU, you can see clear evidence of targets, regulations, policy work and legislation where we see there’s a need for it in terms of addressing our environmental footprint and consumption of non-renewable resources. Of course, we’ve got a long way to go and it’s not our place to lecture others. Our ongoing work-stream in the areas of ‘circular economy’ is probably the most relevant to your question. Many people immediately think waste when discussing notions of circular economy, but the concept is much broader than this. It’s about designing products which last longer, are repairable, use fewer resources and can be readily dissembled and recycled. We are working on all these facets. Sometimes decisive legislation is called for. As one way to help combat the scourge of plastic marine litter, we have actually legislated a ban on certain problematic single-use plastics. Under the new rules, single-use plastic plates, cutlery, straws, balloon sticks and cotton buds will be banned by 2021. We note Australia is decisively taking action on plastic pollution – at local, state and federal government levels in different ways. We’re watching closely these developments.
Circular economy: https://ec.europa.eu/growth/industry/sustainability/circular-economy_en
2.We are promoting a project on clean energy sources in Europe. How can we raise the awareness of general public about this issue?
We really need more information to answer this more fully. But in the meantime, I highlight that the EU has (legislated) renewable energy targets for 2020 and now 2030. For us it’s now 32% of final energy consumption from renewable sources by 2030. This will happen at a collective level in the EU – with progress monitored closely by the European Commission. There’s a great deal of interest in clean energy in the EU, in Australia and globally. It’s not just about climate change outcomes, it’s as much about commercial realities these days. Good luck with your project.
3.How significant do you believe the role of women in leadership is (or lack thereof), in achieving climate action/behaviour change? Both from a business and local/community/personal perspective.
Of course, addressing gender equality is a priority for the EU. We can’t solve climate change, or any other global problems for that matter with half the world’s population not playing a commensurate role. Gender equality features as one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (number 5; there are 17 goals – each with specific targets under them). The SDGs are fully supported by the EU. The European Commission and other EU institutions provide many examples of female leaders.
Again, we can and should make more progress in the area of gender equality, but things are improving. Here in Australia I happen to know that the Clean Energy Council champions women working in the renewables industry and has initiatives and events to support this.
4.What are your thoughts on the planned carbon border adjustment mechanism?
I’m not going to say a lot on this at this time, because it’s a measure being considered by the European Commission and will ultimately be decided by our legislative bodies – the Council (Member States) and the European Parliament. As with any EU important initiative, the future mechanism will be subject to an
impact assessment, involving a prior consultation open to all stakeholders. Of course, such a mechanism would be WTO compliant and would dovetail with measures taken our side such as the EU ETS. We continue to monitor climate action by other countries.
The European Green Deal state-of-play and background: https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en
Further detail on European Green Deal, including explanation of the carbon border adjustment mechanism: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1576150542719&uri=COM%3A2019%3A640%3AFIN
5.How can we create partnerships across the Pacific to tackle the issues across a broader scale?
Many Pacific Island countries are especially vulnerable to climate change. The EU works closely with them. We have a Delegation in Suva that covers most of the region, and we also have Delegations in Port Moresby and in Dili. Elements of our development cooperation assistance to third countries address both climate change mitigation and adaptation. For example, we are working with Kiribati to assist with the provision of access to safe drinking water – a climate resilience issue. We also participate in the Pacific Islands Forum meetings (as observers). We work with our Pacific partners and cooperate with third countries – Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Japan, as well as the Asian Development Bank and World Bank – on infrastructure through the Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility. It’s extremely important we work with developing countries to provide the assistance they need and want, but it’s also imperative we coordinate our efforts as donors.
We have annual ‘trilateral’ meetings between the EU, Australia and New Zealand where we discuss Pacific matters. Of course, climate change impacts and responses feature in our deliberations.
The Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility: https://www.theprif.org/
Delegation of the European Union to the Pacific: https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/fiji_en
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