On 21 June EU Ambassadors are participating in a bicycle ride, in Lisbon, to highlight the work the EU is doing collectively to reach the goals of the Paris Agreement and tackle Climate Change. Some words, explaining this event and its purposes, will be said by the EU Presidency (Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria) and by the host country (Ministry of Environment).
Portugal is ready to contribute, by assuming the ambition of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Lisbon is implementing a sustainable model for mobility that will boost bicycle modal split, by providing 200 km of cycle ways, 1410 bicycles and 140 docking stations. The launch of this successful bicycle sharing system managed by the municipality parking and mobility company has occurred precisely one year ago, on the 21st June 2017.
Full program:
10h00: Welcome at Parking Docas Ponte.
10h10: Starting of the bike ride.
10h25: Stop for press contacts at MAAT.
10h40: Continuing the bike ride to Altis Belém Hotel & Spa.
11h00: End of the bike ride at Parking Docas Ponte.
More information:
There is an urgent need to reach the goals of the Paris Agreement through collective action, in order to avoid catastrophic consequences and protect life on the planet. The transition has multiple and tangible benefits, such as strengthening the economy, improving public and ecosystem health and preventing climate change impacts on human and state security. Climate action is part of a transition to a clean, low-emissions economy and resilient society. The positive environmental, economic and social impacts of climate action are compelling reasons to fully implement the Paris Agreement.
The EU is committed to ambitious action and leads by example: we have a strong track record, both in domestic emissions reductions and support to international partners. The EU has played a consistent role in the construction and implementation of the global climate policy regime over the past three decades.
The EU is committed to climate action and has a strong track record on domestic emissions reductions and support to others.
• The EU is on track to exceed its 2020 target: in 2016, emissions were 23% below 1990 levels.
• The EU, its Member States and the European Investment Bank continue to be the largest provider of public climate finance, contributing €20.2 billion to developing countries in 2016. This represents roughly half of global public climate finance.
We will continue to work together with all partners to enhance climate action in the EU and globally.
• To effectively tackle the climate challenge, we have to work together. That is why the EU has already put in place a cross-sectoral legally binding framework to deliver on our commitment to cut emissions by at least 40% by 2030 compared to 1990.
• Simultaneously, the EU is stepping up international cooperation and support to partners outside the EU through joint diplomatic engagement on climate action.
The global low-emission transition is a win-win solution: good for the planet, good for people.
• Our experience shows that ambitious climate policies can go hand-in-hand with economic growth, job creation, better energy and food security, and improved public and ecosystem health. Our emission reductions of 23% and GDP growth of 53% between 1990 and 2016 demonstrate it is possible to achieve an absolute decoupling of emissions and economic growth.
• Time is of the essence: the earlier we act, the lower the costs and the higher the benefits. By contrast, insufficient action would lead to unnecessarily high costs for people and the planet.
Contact for journalists:
Sofia Trindade
+351 930 488 930
