The European Union and its Overseas Entities: Strategies to Counter Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss
Rainforest, Bébour Bélouve (Reunion)
© Parc National de la Réunion
- from: 07.07.2008
- to: 11.07.2008
- In: Ile de La Réunion
The Regional Council of Reunion, the French National Observatory on the Effects of Global Warming (ONERC) and the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) are organising, in partnership with the Ministry of Interior, Overseas and Territorial Collectivities, a conference aimed at encouraging Europe to add a new dimension to its environmental policy based on the strengths and challenges that the overseas entities represent for the whole of Europe.
In view of the growing challenges posed by climate change and the loss of biodiversity, the conference will, for the first time, gather the representatives of 7 Outermost Regions of the European Union (ORs) and of the 21 Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs). These will be joined by the delegates of the European Union's Member States and institutions, as well as the delegates of certain Small Island Developing States (SIDS), regional and international organisations, research institutes, civil society and the private sector.
The ORs and OCTs regions can boast an extraordinary rich and varied biodiversity which is a world heritage but also an essential element of their economic, social and cultural potential. Major threats weigh on this heritage, such as the destruction of habitats, the swift spread of invading species or the pollution of natural habitats. These traditional threats are combined with climate change, to which ORs and OCTs regions are often particularly exposed.
Against this backdrop, ORs and OCTs deserve the attention of all the European Union. They are located in regions with a world-wide environmental impact and neighbouring countries which cooperate closely with the EU - ACP (African, Carribean, Pacific) countries and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) which are often facing the same environmental challenges. Thus, the ORs and OCTs offer the EU major opportunities to develop its policies and to reinforce its global and regional contribution in terms of the environment. With the support of the EU, these regions can become centres of excellence in terms of research on sustainable development, management of eco-systems, the protection of biodiversity, renewable energies and adaptation to climate change.
The conference aims to develop and reinforce the actions related to climate change adaptation, renewable energies, biodiversity preservation and management of ecosystems. The objective is to propose new strategies and action plans on these challenges, for the overseas entities and other regions of the world concerned.
The organisers: The Regional Council of Reunion, the National Observatory on the Effects of Global Warming (ONERC) and the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) and the Ministry of the Interior, Overseas France and Territorial Communities – Minister of State with responsibility for Overseas France
ORs: Azores o Canary Islands o Guadeloupe o French Guiana o Madeira o Martinique o Reunion o OCTs : Anguilla o Netherlands Antilles o Aruba o Bermuda o South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands o Greenland o Cayman Islands o Falkland Islands o British Virgin Islands o Mayotte o Montserrat o New Caledonia o Pitcairn Islands o French Polynesia o Saint Helena, Tristan da Cusha, Ascension Islands o Saint-Pierre and Miquelon o French Southern Territories o British Antarctic Territory (BAT) o British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) o Turks and Caïcos Islands o Wallis and Futuna.
- Updated: 23.12.2008
