European Union - Australia Partnership Framework

OBJECTIVE IV : SEEK OPPORTUNITIES TO COOPERATE ON CLIMATE CHANGE, ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY SECURITY, FISHERIES AND FORESTRY

RATIONALE

One of the greatest challenges we face is climate change and the threat it poses to the environment.   The EU and Australia are committed to developing ambitious measures, both domestically and through international engagement in particular via the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), that promote the mitigation of and adaptation to the global challenges of climate change . We recognise that energy efficiency and the increased uptake of technological advances such as renewable energy sources and low emission technologies are part of the solution to the growth in global energy demand and to mitigating the effects of climate change.  Building on the outcome of recent discussions, Australia and the EU recognise the importance of multilateral dialogue on energy security and climate change including in the G8 and major economies meeting processes. We have as common objectives the protection and preservation of the environment and the sustainability of the world's fisheries and forest resources.

LONG/MEDIUM TERM OBJECTIVES

• Consolidate and strengthen bilateral and international cooperation in key environmental areas including climate change, biodiversity, biosafety and sustainable management of natural resources.
• Develop joint projects on environment, climate change and energy through the European Commission's 7th Framework Program.
• Develop cooperation on policies and mechanisms to address energy and energy security issues including energy efficiency, development and uptake of clean, diverse and sustainable energy technologies and improving the function of global energy markets.
• Develop a structured dialogue on integrated maritime policy questions, including those related to surveillance, data collection and maritime security and safety.

AREAS OF ON-GOING COLLABORATION

• Regular high level dialogue on the environment .
• Cooperation in multilateral climate change, environment, energy security, maritime, forestry and fisheries fora .
• Build on our cooperation on climate change policies and measures including on the development of safe and sustainable low emissions technologies and carbon capture and storage.
• Promote the establishment, better coordination and funding of adaptation planning for and responses to climate change for most vulnerable countries, including in the Pacific region.
• Information exchanges on:
• environmental, social, economic, security and strategic impacts resulting from climate change, including energy issues and countermeasures;
• energy efficiency improvements including development of goals, actions and indicators;
• reform and liberalisation of energy markets; and
• nuclear security and safety;
• enhanced cooperation on emissions trading schemes in sectors including energy, industrial processes, and transport, including aviation, and also opportunities for international linkages.
• Continue informal discussions on forests and climate and explore possibilities for donor coordination and consultation on programs, building on existing programs in Indonesia , Papua New Guinea and other Pacific Island Countries and coordination on the implementation of relevant sections of the Bali Roadmap.
• Promotion of global energy trade and investment and improving the function of global energy markets.
• Continued dialogue on innovation, research and technology development and the uptake of cleaner, sustainable and new sources of energy.

29 October 2008