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Newsletter Issue #113 September 2021 Read in French here



	Climate Change, Biodiversity and Mediterranean MPAs

Scientific evidence on climate change impacts calls for urgency, particularly in the Mediterranean. If we continue as we are doing, the natural “safety net” of current ecosystem services and social fabric will collapse. Civil society has to remain optimistic and mobilise policy makers for substantial system transformation. This was just one take-home message of the high-level online panel discussion on Climate Change organised by MIO-ECSDE on the 21st of September.

To mobilise governments and citizens in view of COP 26 of UNFCCC, the UN Biodiversity Convention Meetings, regional Ministerial Meetings (UfM, UNEP/MAP), etc., MIO-ECSDE has dedicated an issue of its journal Sustainable Mediterranean with inputs from more than 30 contributors: Intergovernmental bodies, Ministries of Environment, NGOs and other key stakeholders working on CC impacts on Mediterranean agriculture, cities, biosphere reserves, forests, irrigation, and the energy future of the region. It was also the basis for the online panel discussion on Climate Change organised by MIO-ECSDE on the 21st of September.

The UfM reasserted its ambition to tackle climate and environmental challenges. But is it enough? Just a few weeks ahead of COP 26 and at the start of the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration, the much anticipated 2nd UfM Ministerial on Environment and Climate Action took place in a hybrid format in Cairo, hosted by Egypt, under the Co-Presidency of Jordan and the EU. Read more about MIO-ECSDE’s reaction and participation in a High Level UfM Side Event.

MIO-ECSDE organized the 1st MPA Engage capitalization event that brought together more than 120 participants to discuss the recent policy and scientific advances with regards to climate change and its impacts in the region. At the heart of the capitalization event were the MPA Engage featured actions aiming to support MPA managers to adapt to and mitigate the ongoing climate change effects.



	A Healthy Mediterranean Sea

21 Ocean Literacy activities running under MIO-ECSDE's MAD 2021

MIO-ECSDE invited the region’s NGOs to submit ideas on advancing ocean science. After 2 rounds of calls for proposals 21 activities were approved in 11 Mediterranean countries. This MIO-ECSDE campaign contributes to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). Ocean Literacy is all about achieving a deepened understanding of the ocean’s influence on us and our influence on the ocean.

Towards Sustainable Blue Food in the Mediterranean

Member organization ecounion is organizing this year’s Blue Eco Forum on October 22nd on the challenges and opportunities offered by Sustainable Blue Food. The goal is to discuss governance and policies, consumer behaviors, market instruments, lifestyle changes, sustainable diets, etc. to advance a sustainable food transition. This 2021 edition of the Blue Eco Forum is supported by MIO-ESCDE through the MedActionDay 2021 on Ocean Literacy.

90-min Webinar for educators and NGOs on marine litter & plastics

An interactive webinar for formal and non-formal educators from across the Mediterranean region (and the globe!) was organised by the MEdIES Secretariat on the 2nd of September 2021. The 50 or so participants were introduced to the educational resource: “Plastic Waste? Into the blue bin, away from the blue sea: 18+1 ideas for activities” that aims to raise awareness about the impacts of marine litter (especially single-use plastics) and the importance of responsible consumerism and proper recycling. The overall aim is to motivate a behavioural shift at the household, school and community levels. You can access the presentations and recording here.

Capitalizing on achievements and lessons of Plastic Busters MPAs

MIO-ECSDE, Croatia, SCP/RAC and UNISI, through the Plastic Busters MPAs project, brought together more than 90 Mediterranean MPA managers and experts at a capitalization event held online on 17 June. It was a stepping stone towards a consolidated approach against marine litter in Med MPAs. It featured the project’s advances and achievements along the entire management cycle of marine litter, from monitoring and assessment to prevention and mitigation.



	Supporting the SUPs transition in the Mediterranean based on facts, figures and perceptions MIO-ECSDE is conducting a region-wide survey in an effort to quantify the consumption of SUPs in tourism related facilities in both EU and Non-EU countries of the region, taking into consideration the type, size, seasonality, participation in environmental certification programs and other aspects. The level of awareness of the businesses on the impacts of SUPs on the coastal and marine environment will also be gauged along with the willingness to receive advice and support from MIO-ECSDE.



	EU Policy

Revisiting Odour Pollution in Europe on October 28th!

Member of the European Parliament, Maria Spyraki, Co-chair of the European Parliament Intergroup on ‘Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development’ is hosting a web conference on “Revisiting Odour Pollution in Europe” on October 28th. This European Parliament Intergroup event, co-organized with MIO-ECSDE and the EU-funded D-NOSES project will bring together policy-makers, representatives from industries, communities and scientists to present their perspective on the issue, also based on the Green Paper on Odour Pollution developed by D-NOSES.

Urban Wastewater

Apart from directly contributing to the EU consultation on the revision of the EU Waste Water Treatment Directive , MIO-ECSDE prepared a position paper summarizing its observations on the identified problems that the revision aims to tackle and its comments on the objectives, policy options and announcements made by the EC. In a water-scarce Mediterranean, cleaner treated effluents, suitable to be reused in many vital uses is a priority, as is innovation, extending from energy efficiency to energy production and nutrient recovery.



	Education for Sustainable Development

MIO-ECSDE/MEdIES organized a Mediterranean Preparatory Webinar for #ESDfor2030 on 20 April in order to assist the Mediterranean ESD community in their preparations for the UNESCO World Conference on ESD that took place virtually about a month later and where the #ESDfor2030 framework was launched. The 60 participants – officers of Ministries, International Organizations and educators- drafted a Mediterranean ESD Statement which was formally presented by Prof. Scoullos, Chairperson of MIO-ECSDE, in the Europe & North America Regional Technical Meeting on #ESDfor2030.

MIO-ECSDE Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development

12, Kyrristou str. 105 56 Athens, Greece Tel: + 30 210 3247490 Fax: +30 210 3317127 email: info@mio-ecsde.org

MIO-ECSDE © 2021

LIFE Programme of the European Union

Supported by the LIFE Programme of the European Union

The Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.

This bulletin reflects the authors’ views and does not commit the donors.

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