European Commission Daily News 9th December
Biodiversity: Three billion additional trees by 2030 – launch of MapMyTree tool
Today, the Commission together with the European Environment Agency (EEA), are publishing a data tool – MapMyTree – for all organisations to join the pledge of planting three billion additional trees by 2030, register and map their planted trees to count the EU target. As part of the European Green Deal, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 commits to planting at least 3 billion additional trees in the EU by 2030, in full respect of ecological principles. This would increase the EU forest area and resilience, enhance biodiversity, and help with climate change mitigation and adaptation. Launching the counting initiative, Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, said: “Our promise to plant 3 billion additional trees is all about planting the right trees, in the right place, for the right purpose. It is one part of our efforts to fight climate change and stop biodiversity loss. We now have a map, and a new counter to check the progress. Associations, NGOs and cities can all report their trees. Three billion is a big number – but together we can make it a reality!” Forests are a key part of the solution to combat climate change and biodiversity loss. The pledge of 3 billion trees will be carried out with a long-term planning and monitoring scheme ensuring that the trees are planted, and allowed to grow over time. Only trees that benefit biodiversity and the climate, and that are additional, can be registered on the platform. The Commission’s role will be to facilitate, motivate, count and monitor the progress. In Spring 2022, the platform will open to everyone, so every new tree that fulfils the requirements can be counted. More information is in the news item, MapMyTree counter and the 3 billion trees Roadmap.
Brexit Adjustment Reserve: Commission approves €116 million pre-financing for Italy
The European Commission has adopted the decision to allocate funding from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve to Italy, for a total of €116 million. Italy is the second country after Ireland to obtain funding to compensate the consequences of Brexit and will receive €45.55 million in 2021, €34.85 million in 2022 and €35.55 million in 2023. Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, said: “Brexit has had a negative consequences for many people in the EU. The Brexit Adjustment Reserve stands for solidarity with those most affected. With this, EU offers a helping hand to all the Member States, as we do not want to leave anyone behind. With this pre-financing, over the next years Italy can use the funding to mitigate the negative impact and better the lives of people and support local communities.” Italy can use the funding to cover expenses since 1 January 2020 to mitigate the related negative impact of Brexit to support its regions and economic sectors, including on job creation and protection, such as short-time work schemes, re-skilling, and training. The Brexit Adjustment Reserve of €5.4 billion has been put in place to support all Member States, while ensuring a strong concentration on those most affected.
Read the European Commission Daily News in full here.
