Nordic countries stand united in the follow-up to COP21
![Nordic Pavilion COP21](/sites/default/files/styles/content_size_800/public/images/Nordic%2520Pavilion%2520COP21962207.jpeg?itok=LjeeAZra)
At their spring meeting, which took place in Finland on April 27, 2016, the Nordic Environment and Climate Ministers discussed the follow-up to COP21 and the implementation of the Paris Agreement, as well as future cooperation on climate issues.
- The Paris Agreement set out the framework for a global course towards green growth and decreasing climate emissions. Now the real work begins. As Nordic ministers, we strongly support long term goals and an effective implementation of the agreement, stated the Finnish Minister of Agriculture and the Environment, Kimmo Tiilikainen, representing the Finnish chairmanship of the Nordic Council of Ministers.
Following the ministers´ approval, a number of initiatives, focusing for example on Nordic experiences on low emission solutions within a wide range of areas will be launched over the coming months. Special attention will also be given to mobilizing private climate financing, INDC implementation as well as increasing awareness about climate change and its effects in the Artic.
They also agreed on exploring the possibilities for a joint Nordic visibility at COP22.
Nordic countries in defense of strong global environmental governance
The United Nations Environment Programme has been strongly supported by the Nordic countries since its formation in the wake of the first major UN environment conference in Stockholm in 1972. Today, it is essential that the United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEA) and the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) play a significant role in the implementation of Agenda 2030 on sustainable development and in promoting rapid implementation of the Paris agreement. Accordingly, the ministers voiced their strong support for the upcoming UNEA-2 on May 23-27, 2016, and for UNEP in the Joint Statement agreed upon at their meeting.
The ministers also discussed the increasing pollution of seas by plastics and microplastics. They adopted a statement expressing their deep concern for the negative effects of marine debris to human health and marine life and urging actions combatting plastics and microplastics in the marine environment.