n the frames of the 27^th Conference of Parties (COP27) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, a side event was held by the United Nations Development Programme, where a Comparative analysis on developing “Long-Term Climate Strategies in the EU Eastern Partnership countries” was presented, highlighting countries’ progress made on their low emission development pathways 

The Long-term Low emissions development strategies are essential for implementation of the ambitious targets set under the countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). In this regard, the EU4Climate project supports countries in Eastern Partnership region (EaP) in development and implementation of climate-related policies to contribute to their low emission and climate resilient development under Paris Agreement.

Welcoming the participants of the event, Mr. Lawrence Meredith, Director for the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood and Institution Building at the European Commission said, “The EU firmly stands by EaP countries to develop and implement climate related policies towards carbon neutrality by 2050. For this, the EU4Climate project is there to support the EaP countries for developing their low emissions strategies for building a resource-efficient, low emission, and climate-resilient economy.”

“As EaP region represents energy intensive economies and carries severe impacts resulting from climate crisis, UNDP has been supporting the policy development in this region, including low carbon development and climate resilience building in joint effort with the EU”, said Srilata Kammila, UNDP’s Global Head for Climate Adaptation.

Mrs. Gayane Gabrielyan, the Deputy Minister of Environment spoke on the main strategic and policy framework led by the local Government of against the climate challenges that the country is facing across the economic sectors. 

“Development of the Long-Term Low Emissions Development Strategy of Armenia, as well as Climate Law of Armenia will be another strategic milestone achieved, supported by EU funded and UNDP implemented EU4Climate regional project. It will provide the Government with a vision of the mid-century climate policy goals to be achieved on the pathway to carbon neutrality in the second half of this century and it will assist in the environmentally sound long-term planning in the Energy, Industry, Transport, Waste, Agriculture, Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry sectors”, mentioned Mrs. Gabrielyan.

Within the event, the representatives of EaP countries presented case studies designed within the EU4Climate project, exchanging knowledge and experience on developing policies to advance climate neutrality locally.

Delivering Armenia’s case study on “Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Program for 2022-2030” Mrs. Diana Harutyunyan, UNDP Armenia Climate Change Programme Coordinator, spoke about the directions, goals, and targets of the policies and implementation mechanisms pursued in the Program, that was adopted by the Government in 2022.

“Armenia considers the further development of renewable energy (solar, wind, geothermal) a critical direction of its energy policy as an essential guarantee for energy independence and security, for which the Program emphasizes the possibility of introducing and developing battery energy storage systems”, said Mrs. Harutyunyan.

In order to meet the domestic demand, it will be pursued to reduce GHG  emissions from energy production by more than 60 by 2030 compared to 1990.  And by 2030, total GHG emissions in the energy sector will be reduced by 50 compared to 1990. In terms of energy saving and energy efficiency, the Program will focus on the areas/sectors of Households, Transport and Public schools by increasing the level of "electrification" (replacing gas with electric energy).

Subsequently the case studies were delivered by other EaP countries, sharing their practices and key actions on policy development in their respective areas.

In summary, the side event was a valuable opportunity to voice about the key outcomes and achievements the EaP countries have reached with the support of EU4Climate project and delivered as part of the global climate action at COP27.