IMMEDIATE ACTION

ACTION 1: Promote practical cooperation on environmental, climate change and energy issues including through dialogue and cooperation and consultation in multilateral fora.

Desired Outcome:

• Areas of cooperative activity may include but are not limited to:
• biodiversity conservation;
• United Nations General Assembly work on marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction including efforts to establish marine protected areas on the high seas;
• biosafety;
• endangered species;
• co-operation on whale conservation and the future of the IWC, including working towards an end to lethal 'scientific' whaling and strengthening cooperation on non-lethal whales research ;
• sustainable forest management and co-operation to combat deforestation and illegal logging;
• international environmental governance;
• Enhance cooperation on the development of a comprehensive, global post-2012 agreement to tackle climate change and incentives to engage developing countries in increased action.
• Continue co-operation on development and implementation of domestic policies and measures to tackle climate change, including market based instruments , in particular emissions trading schemes , including through the ICAP forum.
• Identify practical cooperation in:
• Energy efficiency and safe and sustainable low emission technologies;
• Improving the operation of energy markets and promoting energy trade and investment;
• Renewable energy sources, including the sustainable production of biofuels;
• Development, demonstration and deployment of safe and sustainable low emission technologies in Australia , the EU and third countries, including e.g. carbon capture and storage and other clean coal technologies;
• Nuclear security and safety.

ACTION 2: Meeting the MEM Leaders' Statement of 9 July 2008 on Environment and Climate Change .

Desired Outcome: Accelerate the development, demonstration and deployment of carbon capture and storage.

ACTION 3 : Meet the Bali Action Plan's objectives, notably through engaging in the comprehensive process to enable the full, effective and sustainable implementation of the Convention through    long-term cooperation, now, up to and beyond 2012, by addressing, inter alia, a shared vision for long-term cooperative action, including a long-term global goal for emission reductions.

Desired outcome : Intensification of cooperation in the negotiation process under the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol.

ACTION 4 : Explore opportunities for consultation and cooperation on adaptation to climate change , particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.

Desired outcome: Enhanced consultation and co-ordination on activities promoting adaptation to climate change.

ACTION 5: Enhance cooperation on issues relating to environmental impacts of transport through existing mechanisms including the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) . While recognising and supporting the role played by the ICAO and IMO, Australia and the EU would welcome the Ad-hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the UNFCCC exploring the scope for addressing international emissions from the aviation and maritime sectors.

Desired outcome : Contribute to effective global action to reduce the environmental impact of international transport.

ACTION 6 : Conduct a biennial exchange of information and experience on fisheries policy and oceans management issues including efforts to deter illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and including also an ecosystem -based approach to the management of oceanic fisheries .

Desired outcome : Share experience on and promote jointly an integrated approach to oceans management in international fora; cooperate with a view to improving fisheries policy and sustainable fisheries management.

ACTION 7: Focus joint EC-Australia efforts to complete the current on-going Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) Performance Review exercise, and on the basis of its outcomes re-launch together the reform of this Tuna RFMO so as to improve and strengthen the functioning and effectiveness of IOTC in meeting its basic objectives.

Desired outcome: Enhanced consultation and co-ordination on the conservation and management of highly migratory fisheries resources in the Indian Ocean and the marine environment through the provision of effective management strategies.

ACTION 8: Explore opportunities to submit joint proposals for consideration at the forthcoming joint tuna regional fishery management organisations meeting in 2009.

Desired outcome: Consistent and effective conservation and management measures adopted by regional fisheries management organisations.

ACTION 9 : Cooperate in negotiations to finalise text for a treaty to establish a South Pacific regional fisheries management organisation that adopts world's best practice reflecting an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management, application of the precautionary approach and strong monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) measures.

Desired outcome: Finalised text that reflects world's best practice based on sustainable fisheries management principles.

ACTION 10: C ooperate to establish interim measures on bottom fisheries in the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA) area.