In a letter dated 29 April, nearly 30 environmental NGOs have called on British and European leaders to take advantage of the EU–UK summit on 19 May to “[show] joint leadership on international environment and climate ambitions, adherence to the Paris Agreement, and drive towards a net-zero world economy”.
In other words, these organisations are requesting that cooperation in this area be an integral part of the summit’s agenda—whether it be a matter of standards for chemicals, fisheries, cooperation on standards, or even carbon markets.
The signatories are thus calling for a formal link to be established between the United Kingdom’s and the European Union’s emissions trading systems in order to “reinforce joint climate ambition [...] as well as increas[e] regulatory certainty for businesses working across Europe”.
They also stress that strengthening regulatory convergence in other areas of environmental policy, such as the circular economy or the fight against deforestation, would “reduce trade friction”.
Furthermore, the signatories hope that the United Kingdom will explore potential opportunities to engage more closely with the European Environment Agency.
To see the letter: https://aeur.eu/f/gmy (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)