For a cleaner Mediterranean by the year 2020
This initiative is funded by the European Commission through DG EuropeAid.

H2020 Initiative sets ambitious objectives to boost protection of the Mediterranean Sea against pollution

on 22 Dec 2014.

National representatives in charge of Environmental Policy from more than 20 Mediterranean countries joined participants from international financial institutions, regional organisations and other key stakeholders in adopting a strategic document outlining the key objectives over the next 5 years for the H2020 Initiative for a cleaner Mediterranean as regards investments in pollution reduction, review and monitoring, capacity building and research.

Hosted by the Co-presidency of the Union for the Mediterranean — the European Union and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan — and with support from the UfM Secretariat, the meeting was organised in direct follow-up to the recommendations outlined in the Ministerial Declaration on Environment and Climate Change held in Athens on 13 May 2014 to draft and adopt a work programme for the H2020 Initiative’s second phase (2015-2020). With a clear indication from the Ministers to step up efforts, the unanimously-adopted document recognises the need to reinforce investment activities in pollution reduction, with a wider thematic scope, information sharing and closer cooperation and synergies.

The document adopted was the result of collaborative work between the UfM Co-Presidency, the UfM Secretariat, UNEP/MAP, the European Environment Agency and the European Investment Bank (EIB). The meeting was chaired by the UfM Co-Presidents, Mr Nicholas Hanley, Head of Unit in DG Environment from the European Union, and Eng. Ahmad Al Qatarneh, Secretary General of the Ministry of Environment of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. It was the culmination of a participatory process that has involved consultation with all partner countries within the various H2020 groups.

During discussions, participants validated the work of ongoing efforts and the initiative’s first phase. In particular, they called for more integration among the programme’s different components as well as with other regional initiatives and processes for more efficiency and complementarity, especially as regards capacity building. While training activities were particularly well received by participants, country representatives stressed the critical importance of responding to concrete needs on the ground and ensuring linkages with other programmes and projects in the same areas. Increased coordination and information sharing within the pollution reduction sub-group (led by EIB and UfM) with a particular focus on project preparation will help to yield tangible results in this regard.

The synergies under the review and monitoring group and the work of UNEP/MAP under the eco-system approach were also highlighted, in addition to the importance of research activities to feed into the various components.

The Horizon 2020 initiative aims to improve the quality of life of more than 420 million citizens living in the 25 countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. It is an umbrella programme drawing together all the policies, strategies and action plans for enhancing environmental protection.

To download the new Work Plan (2015-2020) click here

To download presentations and materials click here

The Horizon2020 Initiative

Reaching its closing in 2020, the key achievements of the Initiative include: more investments, strengthened policy and legal frameworks as well as capacities to implement them, improved information and knowledge, enhanced education and awareness, higher priority of pollution reduction and prevention on national, regional and global political agendas (vs depollution) and contribution to setting the path towards green economy in the region.

The Mediterranean Sea is the largest of the semi – enclosed European seas, surrounded by 21 countries that share a coastline of 46,000 km. The region is home to around 480 million people and the environmental challenges it faces are significant. Back in 2006, the ‘Horizon 2020 Initiative’ was launched inviting all committed stakeholders to join efforts in substantially reducing pollution in the Mediterranean by the year 2020 by tackling the sources of pollution that are said to account for around 80% of the overall pollution of the Mediterranean Sea: municipal waste, urban waste water and industrial pollution.

Achievements

Investment projects

more than 1.4 billion eur mobilised

People trained

more than 5000 people trained

Common indicators to monitor progress

11 macro-indicators

Final Report of the Horizon 2020 Initiative for a Cleaner Mediterranean: 14 years of Mediterranean Cooperation on Environment

Moving forward with 2030GreenerMed

Taking note of the lessons learned from H2020, a follow-up agenda entitled “Towards 2030: Agenda for a Greener Med – Contributing to Achieving the Environmental SDGs in the Mediterranean” (2030GreenerMed) has been formulated by the UfM. This new agenda will be dedicated to support the urgently needed transition to a more sustainable, green and circular economy in the Mediterranean.

Horizon 2020 Initiative for a Cleaner Mediterranean by year 2020 HD 

Published in 2014 the Horizon 2020 video outlines the efforts and results of the Initiative in different parts of the Mediterranean. Video playtime is 48 minutes and 11 seconds and is available in HD format for high quality viewing. The video can also be found on youtube at https://youtu.be/YTaNbpRerpE

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