More than 2.8 billion people in the world cannot afford healthy diets, the Director-General of the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Qu Dongyu, has said.
Director-General of FAO, Qu Dongyu
Dongyu made this known during the 2024 World Food Day global ceremony with the theme: “Right to ‘Foods’ for a Better Life and a Better Future”.
“Foods” in the theme stands for diversity, nutrition, affordability and safety.
Dongyu said that malnutrition in its various forms existed in all countries and socio-economic classes.
He added that even in high-income economies, people were choosing convenient and unhealthy foods.
The FAO director-general attributed the problems to challenges in agrifood systems where nutritious and diverse foods needed for healthy diets were insufficient and unaffordable.
According to him, food security translates to food availability, accessibility and affordability.
“With 730 million people facing hunger, it is clear that there is still much work to be done, and FAO’s mandate to ensure food security for all is as valid as ever.
“This World Food Day, I am calling on all to renew their commitments to building more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems that can nourish the world,” he said.
Dongyu said that immediate action must be taken to ensure the integrated ‘Four Betters’.
“For better production and better nutrition, governments should enable healthy diets for everyone by incentivising production and sale of more nutritious foods.
“They should also promote their consumption in a healthy way.
“For a better environment, we need to produce more with less; we need more quantity with more diverse foods with less agricultural inputs and less negative impacts on the environment.
“We need to produce enough diverse foods, while preserving biodiversity and protecting the planet,” he said.
Dongyu said that, for a better life, innovation such as information technology, Artificial Intelligence, biotechnology and digital agriculture were needed.
He also said that, to support governments, the private sector would need to shift from unhealthy foods and make a greater diversity of safe and nutritious foods available, affordable and appealing.
“They need to be our allies in addressing this global challenge. Governments cannot do it alone.
“We cannot build peaceful communities without addressing hunger and malnutrition,” Dongyu said.
He said that the younger generation had a vital role to play, adding that a food secure future without malnutrition was a human right.
Dongyu called for renewal of commitments to building efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems that would guarantee the right to good foods for all.
Stakeholders in the environment sector are reviewing Nigeria’s current disaster risk policies in order to enhance community resilience.
Participants at the Policy Review Workshop on Nigeria’s National Disaster Risk Management Plan, in Abuja
The stakeholders converged on Abuja at the Policy Review Workshop on Nigeria’s National Disaster Risk Management Plan.
Mr Abuh Steven, the National Network Coordinator, Climate and Sustainable Development Network (CSDevNet), who spoke at the workshop on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, said the event was aimed at reviewing Nigeria’s current disaster risk management policies.
Steven, who was represented by Mr. Paul Joseph, Programme Officer, CSDevNet, said that the review identified gaps and foster collaboration to enhance community resilience.
He emphasised the importance of collaboration to address climate-induced disasters which were on the increase due to climate change and rapid urbanisation.
Steven urged stakeholders to empower themselves with knowledge and tools for disaster preparedness, response and recovery to effectively respond to disasters.
Dr Iniobong Abiola-Awe, Director, Department of Climate Change, Federal Ministry of Environment, said that the unit had been engaging in disaster risk management issues, monitoring and early preparedness to disasters.
Abiola-Awe, who was represented by Mrs Yemi Bakare, Desk Officer, Risk Disaster Management, assured that the challenges of farming in some parts of the country would also be tackled to ensure food security in the country.
Mrs. Zubaida Umar, Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), said that climate resilience in Nigeria required a multifaceted approach disaster risk management.
Umar, who was represented by Mr. Tony Ephraim, Head, Monitoring, Evaluation, NEMA, said that, by priortising disaster risk management, the country could safeguard its communities.
Mr. Arome Agenyi, Executive Director, Centre for Learning and Development (CLD), said that the policy document was for effective disaster management in Nigeria.
Agenyi, who was represented by Dr Blessing Atunbi-Agboli, Research Fellow, CLD, said that civil society organisations would develop their institutional capacity to disaster risk management as well as establishing disaster management volunteers.
He, however, expressed worries that the problem of disaster management response initiative in the country was worst at the local government level.
European Union (EU) Energy Commissioner, Kadri Simson, has announced that the EU is ready for the possibility of no Russian gas flowing through Ukraine when the current transit contract expires.
European Union (EU) Energy Commissioner, Kadri Simson
“Central and Southeastern Europe have diversified their supply options to fully replace the 14 billion cubic meters of Russian gas still transiting via Ukraine,” Simson said at a press conference following a meeting of EU energy ministers.
Simson highlighted that both new and existing liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals have sufficient capacity, necessary transport infrastructure is in place, and multiple alternative supply routes are available for both LNG and pipeline imports.
The transit contract between Ukraine and Russia, allowing Russian gas to flow through Ukraine, is set to expire this year in December.
Since 2022, the EU has been actively reducing and halting its imports of Russian fossil fuels in response to the geopolitical situation.
In June this year, the Council of the EU adopted the 14th package of sanctions against Russia, which includes a ban on reloading services for Russian LNG in EU territories for transshipment to third countries, among other measures.
Inspite these efforts, Russian gas volumes to the EU have increased in recent months.
Simson attributed this rise to “temporary circumstances.”
The Energy Council meeting also addressed the divergence in wholesale electricity prices within the EU.
Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe have been grappling with high electricity prices in recent months, experiencing severe price spikes during peak hours, particularly in the evenings.
In a keynote address delivered at the Thousand Youth Summit on Agroecology and Food Systems held from October 14 to 16, 2024, in Addis Ababa, Nnimmo Bassey, Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), explores the role of indigenous knowledge in promoting resilient food systems in Africa
Nnimmo Bassey
Africa is at a crossroads to her food future with the stark choice being between adopting the industrial agriculture model (with modern agricultural biotechnology) or agreocology (regenerative agriculture). The former, in the guise of enhancing agricultural productivity and fostering economic development, locks in monocultures, loss of biodiversity, seed monopoly and seed/food colonialism; while the latter delivers increased productivity and economic resilience and nourishes and revives ecosystems, strengthens local economies, mitigates climate/environmental crises, and promotes food sovereignty.
We cannot afford to gamble with biosafety. To do so is to set ourselves up for intergenerational consequences; needless to mention the current food and climate crises that are being exacerbated. Genetic modification and other new technologies including gene editing and synthetic biology which are applied in agriculture require critical evaluation for their implication not just on human/animal health but also on ecosystems and on the rights of our people.
It has often been said that one of the ways to colonise a people is by dismantling or subverting their culture. This pathway is also effective for building dependency and disrupting the systems that organically secures the health of the populations. In terms of agricultural and food systems, the disruption is most effective when staple crops are targeted, appropriated through patenting and presented as mere merchandise. Food is fast becoming an instrument of control and power.
Science has been used as a cloak for the introduction of foods of dubious value and quality. The quest to solve perceived problems through artificial means introduces new problems, some of which can be intractable. Today we see unrelenting forces seeking to control our food and agricultural systems with attendant disregard for indigenous knowledge, natural cycles, biodiversity, and livelihoods of communities.
Food supply across Africa depends largely on the maintenance of a healthy and thriving biodiversity. Our farmers save, reproduce, and share seeds, understanding that these seeds encapsulate life. These communities engage in mixed cropping and harvest a mix of fruits, tubers and vegetables that yield foods that are rich and healthy, providing needed nutrition and building defenses against illnesses. They have a strong link to what is presented as food and harvests are never mechanical exercises. Moreover, many of our farmers do not see food production as mere business or for profit.
In Africa, food systems are deeply intertwined with cultural identity and community well-being. Indigenous communities have long practiced agriculture that is sustainable, adaptive, and resilient. Techniques such as intercropping, agroforestry, and the use of native seeds are not just methods of farming; they are a testament to a profound understanding of local environments and biodiversity.
Indigenous communities have safeguarded their native seeds, preserving not only agricultural biodiversity but also cultural heritage. These seeds are not just commodities; they are a symbol of identity, history, and resilience. By protecting and promoting these seeds, we empower communities to feed themselves and maintain their cultural practices. This is what food sovereignty is about.
This local knowledge held by indigenous peoples; that has been developed and passed down through generations is what is called indigenous knowledge. It encompasses not just farming techniques, but also cultural practices, spiritual beliefs, and an understanding of local ecosystems.
The erosion of indigenous knowledge due to urbanisation and globalisation has become a significant threat. Many young people are moving to cities, leaving behind traditional practices. Furthermore, indigenous communities often face marginalisation and exclusion from decision-making processes that affect their lands and resources.
It is time for our young people to seek out and apply time-tested and creative indigenous knowledge. It is time to advocate for policies that recognise and integrate indigenous knowledge under the umbrella of Agroecology into national and regional agricultural strategies with the involvement of indigenous peoples in the conversation, valuing their perspectives, and ensuring their voices are heard in the policy-making process.
We must not only create horizontal networks with peers but also deliberately build vertical networks with the older generations to encourage inter-generational knowledge transfer. We need to forge strategic partnerships with indigenous communities to learn of their age-long approaches to biodiversity conservation, seed saving, soil fertility improvement and others. It is important to integrate inter-generational learning in our training programmes and engagements. It is also our responsibility to document knowledge gained as this is useful not just for future reference but for advocacy.
The key to a resilient and food-secure future for Africa lies with the indigenous peoples. It is essential that young people recognise the value of indigenous knowledge and work together to integrate it into our food systems.
There is need for all stakeholders to prioritise efforts at promoting handwashing with soap and water as an easy, effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives.
Evelyn Mere, WaterAid Nigeria Country Director
Evelyn Mere, Country Director for WaterAid Nigeria, made this submission on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, in her goodwill message at an event marking 2024 Global Handwashing Day in Oregun, Lagos.
Represented by Godfrey Iloha, WaterAid WASH Manager, Mere said: “Going by the report of WASHNORM in 2021, only 99% of heads of households have knowledge of at least two critical times for handwashing while only 8% could demonstrate proper handwashing.
“This wide disparity between knowledge and practice is the challenge we must work together to address. Recent outbreaks of cholera in several locations in the country continue to remind us of the importance of handwashing with soap and water, making the theme of this year’s Global Handwashing Day very relevant.”
According to her, “We need to take concrete action to ensure that everyone everywhere can practice handwashing, we must re-think our behavioural change approaches to nudge people to wash their hands as frequently as possible.
“It is not sufficient to provide hygiene facilities without providing the requisite education that would move people from awareness to action. The gap between knowledge and practice that must be closed urgently because the results we want to achieve lie therein,” she stressed.
In his remarks, Tokunbo Wahab, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources in Lagos State, said: “This annual event serves as a crucial reminder of the simple yet profound act of handwashing, its significance in preventing the spread of diseases, and its impact on public health.”
The Commissioner, represented by Mrs. Folashade Adeyoju, Deputy Director, Office of Environmental Services, opined: “In Lagos, a bustling metropolis with a large and diverse population, the importance of handwashing cannot be overstated. Our city faces numerous challenges, including rapid urbanisation, overcrowding, and limited access to basic amenities in certain areas. These factors can create conditions conducive to the transmission of diseases.
“However, handwashing offers a powerful and accessible solution. By simply washing our hands with soap and water at critical times, such as before preparing food, after using the toilet, and after coughing or sneezing, we can significantly reduce the risk of contracting and spreading diseases like diarrhoea, cholera, and respiratory infections.
“Lagos State has made significant strides in promoting handwashing practices. We have implemented various initiatives, such public awareness campaigns, we have also integrated handwashing education into the curriculum of schools to ensure that our children learn the importance of this practice from a young age.
“I urge everyone to join us in this important endeavour. Let us commit to washing our hands regularly and encouraging others to do the same. By working together, we can create a healthier and more resilient Lagos for generations to come.”
In his remarks, Dr. Hakeem Babatunde Shittu, Chairman, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB), talked about the importance of the theme of this year’s event.
Represented by Mr. Avoseh Stephen, Deputy Director, SUBEB, the Chairman noted that the theme – “Why Are Clean Hands Still Important” – highlights the importance of clean hands in preventing outbreaks and pandemics particularly in areas with limited access to healthcare, the answer lies in our collective responsibilities to safeguard public health, prevent infections and promote well-being.
“Furthermore, clean hands remain a fundamental defence against spread of infections, illnesses and harmful germs at homes, hospitals and most especially at schools because of the vulnerable nature of the pupils and students. Practicing handwashing with soap contributes better health outcome and improve learning environment for the learners.”
Highpoint of this year’s Global Handwashing Day was the lecture on “Health Talk on Hand Hygiene” delivered by a Health Educator, Mrs. Olaide Azeezat Ozoaru, where the students learnt the process of proper handwashing which includes wet, ladder, scrub, rinse and dry.
There are also presentations on handwashing competition from the participating schools such as Local Government Primary School One, Ijegun; Local Government Primary School Two, Ijegun; Community Primary School One, Ijegun; Community Primary School Two, Ijegun; Oregun Junior High School, Oregun; and Oregun Senior High School, Oregun, Lagos.
Dignitaries that graced the occasion include Evelyn Mere, Country Director for WaterAid Nigeria; Dr. Adebayo Alao, Water Aid Lagos Programme Lead; and Mr. Henry Adenigba, Executive Director, Humanity Family Foundation for Peace and Development (HUFFPED), among others.
The need for collaborative efforts to address the challenges of access to water was the core of discussions at the Nigeria Country Workshop on the Principles of Blue Community organised by the Africa Water Justice Network and the Ecumenical Water Network (EWN), Africa on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Nigeria.
L-R Coordinator of the Ecumenical Water Network (EWN) Africa, Reverend Kolade Fadahunsi; Professor Jacinta A. Opara, Vice Chancellor of the Dominican University, Ibadan (middle); and Executive Director of Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), Philip Jakpor (extreme right)
The event, which held at the Institute of Church and Society, Samonda in Ibadan, drew participants from civil society, youth groups, women leaders and faith-based groups who x-rayed the challenges of access to water and agreed to work together to challenge unjust laws that lead to the monopolisation of water by corporations.
In his welcome address, Coordinator of the Ecumenical Water Network (EWN) Africa, Reverend Kolade Fadahunsi, said the workshop was convened to educate communities and groups on the Blue Communities’ initiative and identify those that can be recruited to protect the human right to water.
Programme Executive/Coordinator, Ecumenical Water Network (EWN), Dinesh Suna, said that the EWN, based in Geneva, is an initiative of the World Council of Churches and comprises churches and church-related organisations that promote the preservation, responsible management and equitable distribution of water for all, based on the understanding that water is a gift from God, a common good and a fundamental human right.
Suna explained that, on October 25, 2016, the WCC became a Blue Community at a public event in Geneva and has since then been working with cities and villages, universities and schools, companies and NGO, faith-based organisations and trade unions that promote the human right to water and sanitation and to oppose privatization and commodification of water and its services.
The Blue Community was initiated by the Council of Canadians, a Canadian social and environmental justice organisation, and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) in 2009 to help activists and decision-makers at the local level to stop the privatisation of municipal water services and promote the human right to water.
Suna said that the Blue Community work with governments, politicians, experts, journalists, activists and water operators to ensure water justice for all. The Blue Community network supports the Blue Communities in these efforts, helps to establish contacts among them and facilitates the exchange and cooperation.
Speaking on “Water Sustainability, Preservation and Protection”, Executive Director of Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), Philip Jakpor, said that the causes of water shortage include Geographic location, Climate change, Pollution, Unjust laws and policies that open the door for water grab and Lack of education/awareness on use of water.
Jakpor disclosed that in Nigeria there have been attempted water grabs through an International Monetary Fund (IFC) – Lagos Advisory Contract which would have paved the way for the privatisation of water resources in Lagos in 2013, a proposed Environment Law of Lagos State in 2017, and the National Water Resources Bill of 2018, among others, that stalled due to advocacy by civil society groups pushing for adoption of public sector solutions to Nigeria’s water crisis.
He revealed that the enablers of water privatisation include the World Bank and its business arm – the IFC, while the beneficiaries are corporations like Veolia and Suez that have merged into a single company, Abengoa, Metito and Nestle.
To confront the water grabs by the aforementioned corporations, he said that Blue Communities must advocate for the right legislation, public funding of water, communal efforts, education and personal efforts.
He also stressed the need for network building, street marches when the need arises, media advocacy for sensitisation and awareness targeting the masses, legislative advocacy which includes petitioning lawmakers and key agencies of government as well as use of social media which is a means of reaching and recruiting young people into water advocacy.
In her intervention, Professor Jacinta A. Opara, Vice Chancellor of the Dominican University, Ibadan, said that water is one of the most critical natural resources essential for life, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.
Professor Opara stressed that, as Nigeria’s population grows, the demand for water continues to increase, putting immense pressure on the country’s water resources, adding that climate change, industrialisation, and inadequate infrastructure have exacerbated water challenges in Nigeria.
She revealed that, in rural areas, the situation is even more precarious, with many communities relying on contaminated surface water, leading to waterborne diseases.
Listing the factors that contribute to the challenges in water sustainability in Nigeria, she said that pollution and environmental degradation tops them while other issues like poor Infrastructure and management closely follow. Others are climate change, deforestation and land use changes, and poor governance and regulatory frameworks.
The professor also itemised strategies for water preservation and protection which include strengthening water policies and regulations, improving water infrastructure, promoting integrated water resources management, community participation and education, and combating pollution and environmental degradation.
In his presentation on “Bottled Water’s Rising Toll on Planetary and Human Health”, Reverend Fadahunsi noted that approximately 1 million plastic bottles are purchased every minute globally, owing to the dependence of about 2 billion people on bottled water due to unsafe drinking water.
He lamented however that 80% of all bottled water plastics end in landfills with as much as 1.6 million tons of plastic waste also ending up in lakes, streams and rivers, and posing significant threat to the environment, public health, and social justice.
In his call to action, he said there was need for the Nigerian government to invest in reliable tap water infrastructure and promotion of tap water accessibility, and the need for restriction of single-use plastics.
He urged the participants to take the lead by shifting towards tap water consumption to address health, environmental, and social challenges.
The 30 oil and gas blocks auction that has been underway for over two years for a procedure that cannot exceed 18 months has been finally put to an end to the delight of climate change activists.
Aimé Sakombi Molendo. Minister of Hydrocarbons, Democratic Republic of Congo
On Monday, October 14, 2024, the Ministry of Hydrocarbons in DRC represented by Mr. Aimé Molendo Sakombi issued a cancellation statement and plan to immediately relaunch the auction to avoid the irregularities previously encountered and above all to hold hydrocarbon rights for better ecological preservation.
In a reaction, Christian Hounkannou, Regional Organiser, 350Africa.org, said: “These 30 oil and gas blocks in Lake Kivu posed a serious threat to the Congo Basin where all the oil and gas are located. The Congo basin represents 70% of Africa’s forested land and 75 million people depend on it for their livelihoods. Threatening the Congo Basin means threatening the lives of not only of the Congolese communities but also by extension the lives of all those who are connected to the biodiversity of the Congo Basin.
“The Congo basin is one of the richest biodiversity hotspots and a habitat for more primates than any other place worldwide including great apes such as gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobos. We salute the decision made by the government and we hope they will go further, cancel the auction process, and prioritise renewable energy investments which are more reliable and safer. This gives us a glimmer of hope that more African countries will do what is currently needed for the people, the planet, and the climate.”
Pascal Mirindi from Extinction Rebellion in Goma said: “Since 2022, 350Africa.org working with local communities, has been instrumental in amplifying the devastating impacts of fossil fuel projects in the DRC, driving global solidarity in the fight for a sustainable future. The recent government decision to halt the auction of 30 oil and gas blocks is a monumental victory for activists everywhere, and it marks a crucial step toward advancing renewable energy solutions that prioritise the well-being of our communities.”
Vice President Kashim Shettima accompanied by other dignitaries visited the Shell booth at the 30th Nigeria Economic Summit, where he listened to Chidi Nkazi, Shell’s Business Value Manager, explain Shell companies in Nigeria’s contribution to the Nigerian economy, local content development and commitment to sustainable development.
Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Shell booth
Chidi presented key achievements of Shell Companies in Nigeria (SCiN) to the Vice President, underlining Shell’s role in fostering economic growth through tax contributions, job creation and support for local businesses.
Chidi noted that through collaboration Shell Companies in Nigeria are powering Nigeria’s progress with significant contributions to the economy. Chidi highlighted SCiN collaboration with co-venture partners to foster knowledge sharing, resources pooling and risk mitigation leading to more efficient and sustainable operations.
He informed the Vice President of Shell’s technical expertise and resources and how Shell has leveraged its strength to support its Nigerian operations contributing to technological advancement and improved efficiency.
In 2023 alone, Shell Companies paid over $1.09 billion in corporate taxes and royalties to the Federal Government, a vital contribution to national revenue. This included $442 million from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and $649 million from Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo). Additionally, the companies awarded contracts worth $1.98 billion to Nigeria-registered businesses, reflecting a 3% increase from the previous year.
“Shell is committed to contributing positively to the Nigerian economy and the communities in which we operate,” said Nkazi. “Our investments not only support government revenue but also empower local economies and create employment opportunities.”
Beyond economic contributions, Shell’s social investments have helped to improve the quality of life in communities. In 2023, SCiN invested $42.2 million in various social programs, focusing on health, education, road safety, and entrepreneurship. Shell’s commitment to education has seen it support thousands of students through scholarships since the 1950s. More than 3,450 secondary school scholarships, 3,772 university grants, and 1,062 cradle-to-career scholarships have been awarded since 2016.
“The partnership between Shell and Nigeria reflects our dedication to sustainable development and community empowerment,” Nkazi said, adding: “We will continue to seek innovative ways to support economic growth and improve the livelihoods of Nigerians.” Shell is co-sponsor of the Nigeria Economic Summit.
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, led other members of Lagos State Executive Council on the maiden ride trip on the state’s Red Line Rail.
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu with state government officials and passengers
The train kicked off from its Oyingbo Station at 5.20 p.m. and arrived at Agbado Station at 6.25 p.m.
The rail line was inaugurated on Feb. 29 by President Bola Tinubu.
Sanwo was accompanied on the train ride by Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA); the state Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Seun Osiyemi; and Mrs. Margaret Oguntala, President of Nigeria Society of Engineers, among other personalities.
The governor, who declared himself the operation officer of the day, expressed delight at it.
“It is exciting and very smooth. Instead of spending long hours in traffic, within minutes, you arrive at your destination.
“Time is an element that we cannot afford to lose track of because of its importance,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu also said the Red Line Rail would create employment opportunities for residents of the state.
The governor, who moved round the coaches with other officials, re-stated his administration’s commitment to making life easier in line with its THEMES Plus Agenda.
The passengers on board the train, which included journalists, expressed delight at the trip, describing it as fascinating.
One of the passengers, Mrs. Aderonke Gold, said that the introduction of the rail line would bring more comfort to commuters.
“I love the comfort and the fact that it will save time, I commend the effort of the government,” she said.
The President of Nigeria Society of Engineering, Oguntala, disclosed that the Sanwo-Olu-led administration should be emulated.
“The standard is top-notch.
“We are proud of this great achievement, our dear governor deserves our support and encouragement,” she said.
The train’s commercial operation is from Agbado, a border community in Ogun, to Oyingbo on Lagos Mainland.
The 27km Oyingbo-Agbado rail line is the first phase of the 37km Red Line Rail expected to stop at Marina.
LAMATA had in a statement via its official X account said that the Nigeria Rail Commission granted a three-year operational licence to Lagos State’s Blue Rail Line and a six-month temporary licence to the Red Line.
According to the schedule, the train will operate twice at peak periods – morning and evening.
European Union environment ministers have agreed to push for the goal to limit global warming to 1.5 degree Celsius at this year’s UN Climate Change Conference in Azerbaijan.
EU Foreign Ministers Meeting
“Limiting warming to 1.5ºC requires collective effort and further action from all countries, especially major economies,’’ the ministers from the 27-member bloc said in a statement after a meeting in Luxembourg.
The plans should include “economy-wide and absolute reduction targets that cover all greenhouse gases,’’ the statement read.
The EU also wants to promote the agreement of a new common target for supporting developing and emerging countries, with more contributors to be included.
This would be based on a country’s economic capabilities and its share of states in global greenhouse gas emissions since the early 1990s.
The existing climate financing target was agreed to by industrialised countries in 2009.
It was established to mobilise annually $100 billion from 2020 onwards for climate protection and adaptation to climate change in developing countries.
The target was confirmed in the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015 and extended until 2025.
In 2022, the goal of $100 billion annually was reached for the first time. However, the question now is how to proceed after 2025.
The UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) is scheduled to open on Nov. 11, in Baku and run until Nov. 22.
Azerbaijan, an oil and gas-rich country on the Caspian Sea, has come under international criticism for human rights violations and the repression of dissent but remains an important energy supplier to the EU.
