EU Budget – all to play for

07 December 2011

MFF- sustainablity, development and climate.

The EU is in the process of preparing and finalising the Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2014-2020. The framework offers the opportunity to direct substantial funding towards tackling the challenges of environmental sustainability and climate change through the external actions of the EU.

CAN-Europe has two objectives in this area:

• to inform the interested MEPs on the key aspects of the proposals which are essential to support developing countries meet the twin challenges of climate change and environmental degradation and
• to exchange knowledge and positions from NGOs to MEPs on the MFF options.

On the face of it, Climate and external funds were the real winners in the Commission proposal on the EU Budget (2013 - 2020). On the external dimension of the EU budget, there is an increase of funds. But, will the EU use the money to promote sustainable development in poor countries through the Millennium Development Goals and fulfill global climate commitments? The risk is that it will not.

There needs to be wide awareness and understanding of the climate and environment elements of the MFF proposals and their links to wider development objectives amongst key decision makers at both European and national levels. Members in the European Parliament working on the MFF, EC and Member States should be aware and understand the importance of acting on the issues around climate change impacts through the external instruments within the MFF.

At the end of 2013, the new development cooperation instruments should have been substantially strengthened to address the four key issues outlined below; taking up the suggestions made for each of the following:

• Promoting environmental sustainability and climate objectives through EU external actions.
• Meeting international commitments on the Millennium Development Goals and Multilateral Environmental Agreements.
• Meeting international climate finance commitments and ensuring additionality of climate finance.
• Ensuring and supporting civil society participation in development policy dialogue and programmes.