EU, Georgia “responding together” to climate change consequences - EU Ambassador

Paweł Herczyński, the Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia, on Thursday said the bloc and the country were “responding together” to consequences of climate change.

In his video message to the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference, hosted in Dubai, Herczyński stated promoting clean and renewable energy, transport, and improving energy efficiency in public buildings were “common priorities”.

He said the joining work enabled improvements in air quality, better management of water resources, preservation of forests and protected areas, and addressing waste and industrial pollution. The diplomat added all those actions “reflected on shared commitment” to protect the environment and address climate change. 

Georgia is home to the first commercial wind farm in the Caucasus. And, the EU is supporting the modernisation of the Enguri hydropower plant [in the north-west] which produces around 40 percent of all electricity used in Georgia”, the EU official noted.

Herczyński said the joint efforts ensured better environmental protection and improved the quality of life and health of the country’s citizens, adding climate change had “no borders” and noting driving “real change” and securing a “better future for all” was made possible with the cooperation.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili is set to address world leaders at the Conference that brings together delegates from more than 160 states, leaders of business and finance, and representatives of the civil sector through December 12.