The EU, Canada, and China co-hosted the fourth Ministerial on Climate Action (MoCA), which provided an online discussion space on climate cooperation and decisions on directions and investments during COVID-19 recovery.

The meeting was co-chaired by the European Commission’s Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans, the Canadian Minister for Environment and Climate Change Jonathan Wilkinson, and China’s Minister for Ecology and Environment Huang Runqiu. Selwin Hart, Assistant Secretary-General for the Climate Action Team in the UN, facilitated the discussion.

The 7 July 2020 event was the fourth Ministerial on Climate Action. Ministers and representatives of more than 30 countries participated in the discussion, which focused on how recovery and stimulus plans can advance climate action and accelerate progress towards our longer-term climate goals. The co-chairs noted that countries have been affected differently by the pandemic and are at different stages in planning for the recovery, but emphasized the value of collaboration, sharing experiences, and coordinating action. 

In his opening remarks, Timmermans highlighted that, in the midst of the global pandemic, “The climate crisis is still there, the biodiversity crisis is still there and we will have one shot at addressing them together with the recovery plans that will now be made.” He said EU member States agree that their recovery should be based on the European Green Deal, and reported that they can reach climate neutrality by 2050 and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions up to 55% by 2030. He encouraged all to consider how to make the next climate change conference in Glasgow, UK, and the biodiversity conference in Kunming, China, a success. 

Wilkinson said Canada is committed “to building a stronger, more resilient, and more sustainable economy as the world begins to emerge from COVID-19.” He also emphasized the need to act now to “meet and exceed” Paris Agreement targets and chart a course to net-zero emissions by 2050.

The MoCA was first convened in 2017, following the US’ announcement that it would leave the Paris Agreement on climate change. It has met annually since then. [EU news release] [SDG Knowledge Hub summary of third MoCA]