Latest news with #MediterraneanActionPlan
Euronews
01-08-2025
- Euronews
From blue flags to ecolabels, how green are your beach holidays?
Summer 2025 is set to be one of the hottest on record in Europe, and millions will once again head for the coast. The Mediterranean is one of the world's favourite destinations, attracting one third of global tourists. However, its ecosystems are under growing pressure from the same sector that fuels its economy. In 2023 alone, the EU recorded 1.1 billion tourist nights, with Italy and Spain leading the way. It is easy to see why. European coasts offer more than just sea breeze. According to the European Union's 2024 bathing water assessment, more than 85% of Europe's bathing waters were rated 'excellent', with Cyprus, Bulgaria, and Greece topping the charts. But while the activities that draw people to the coast depend on clean and intact environments, tourists often leave places more polluted than they found them. A 2024 study published in the international journal Nature says that tourism's carbon emissions have grown at twice the rate of the global economy, and now account for 8.8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Coastal tourists leave a trace of pollution behind 'In some hotspots, around 75% of annual waste is generated during the summer season', says Chloé Martin, Sustainable Tourism Programme Manager at Plan Bleu, the French activity centre of the Mediterranean Action Plan of the United Nations Environment Programme. From the skies to the seafloor, every tourist leaves a mark on the environment. Martin points out that air travel, accommodation, and plastic waste are the main ecological concerns associated with coastal tourism. As tourism adapts to climate change, how can travellers make more sustainable choices? Climate change is projected to have a profound impact on beach tourism and challenge the industry's resilience, according to the EU Blue Economy Report 2025. Rising seas, hotter summers, and more frequent extreme weather events are reshaping the physical environment, ecosystems, and amenities that underpin coastal tourism. This can damage the reputation of many destinations, which is why sustainability and adaptability to climate change are now crucial for many seaside travel companies today. But as the promotion of ecolabels and sustainability certifications increases, how can travellers tell what is truly green and what is simply greenwashing? According to the European Commission, 53% of green claims in the EU are vague or misleading. 'They are used so much that people stop believing them,' warns Patricia Puig, a specialist in marine conservation and founder of Oceanogami, a Spanish consultancy company focused on ocean responsibility. Martin recommends that travellers check whether the issuing body is a private company or an independent public body, and whether the requirements are clear and publicly available, based on international standards that undergo regular verification. What to look out for on whale or dolphin watching tours? When booking a wildlife-watching tour, it is key to research beforehand. 'If you look at the promotional pictures of the company and you see a tourist touching an animal, that's not responsible', warns Puig. When anchoring a boat, a responsible company would prefer to stabilise the vessel by attaching it to a buoy where possible, rather than always anchoring in the sand, explains Puig, to prevent damaging the seabed. It is also advisable to keep a distance from the animals. How to snorkel and dive responsibly? 'We are guests in the marine environment', says Puig, reminding travellers that touching marine animals or plants can spread diseases and disrupt ecosystems. Even seemingly harmless actions, like removing pieces of coral as souvenirs, can cause lasting damage and should never be encouraged, especially by companies claiming to be sustainable. To enjoy these activities consciously, Puig recommends choosing certified operators that work with marine biologists and offer tours to small groups, thereby reducing environmental pressure. She also suggests using reef-safe sunscreen. And jet skiing? Jet skis disturb wildlife with noise and emissions. Some countries, such as Greece and Italy, are already limiting or banning the use of motorised watercraft in coastal areas to protect both wildlife and coastal communities. 'Underwater noise is very impactful for any organism, including invertebrates, corals, and fish', Puig told Euronews. Slowing down can significantly reduce harm to wildlife. Do you want to be sure that your sea holidays are really eco-friendly? Watch the video to find out more.
Daily News Egypt
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily News Egypt
Environment Minister chairs closing session on Mediterranean Sea protection at UN Ocean Conference
Egypt's Minister of Environment, Yasmine Fouad, chaired the closing session marking the 50th anniversary of the Mediterranean Action Plan and the 30th anniversary of the Barcelona Convention. The high-level event was held on the sidelines of the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), co-hosted by France and Costa Rica in the city of Nice. The session convened 11 environment ministers and 3 deputy ministers from across the Mediterranean region, alongside Tatjana Hema, Coordinator of the UN Environment Programme's Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP/MAP). The event featured two thematic sessions. The first showcased member state success stories in areas such as marine protected areas, pollution prevention, regional cooperation, monitoring and evaluation, and integrated coastal zone management. The second addressed strategies to combat single-use plastics, promote sustainable financing, and enhance synergies for plastic pollution control. Minister Fouad described the event as a timely opportunity to reflect on five decades of shared environmental action. 'This gathering embodies the spirit of Mediterranean solidarity and ambition. It is not just about preserving the environment, but safeguarding our culture, identity, and shared humanity,' she remarked. She commended the French Minister of Environment for an 'inspiring address' highlighting 15 years of fruitful partnership, expressing hope that this cooperation would continue to the 60th anniversary milestone. Fouad also stressed the urgency of intensifying efforts to achieve a pollution-free Mediterranean, particularly amid rising plastic pollution threats. With the next session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC 5.2) on a global plastics treaty set for August, the Minister underscored the importance of concluding a legally binding agreement that could 'mark the beginning of the end for plastic pollution.' In her remarks, Fouad highlighted the importance of sustainable financing and international collaboration. 'The Mediterranean region offers a valuable model of governance, with 22 countries working together on issues ranging from pandemic response to biodiversity and sea level rise,' she noted. She also praised the successful case studies shared during the session, applauding initiatives focused on biodiversity-climate linkages, coastal zone management, and community engagement in marine protection. 'These were not just presentations—they were passionate, hopeful stories that energised everyone in the room,' she added. On the sidelines of the conference, Minister Fouad held a bilateral meeting with Jessica Roswall, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience, and Competitive Circular Economy. Discussions focused on ongoing negotiations for a global plastics treaty and aligning positions ahead of the INC 5.2 meeting. Fouad reaffirmed Egypt's support for establishing an independent financial mechanism to fund the treaty's objectives, thereby reducing pressure on the Global Environment Facility (GEF). She also referred to existing cooperation between Egypt and the EU on biodiversity finance within the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. 'A new plastics treaty requires ambitious targets and a dedicated funding stream—both public and private,' she stated. 'We must ensure financial responsibilities are shared fairly and do not disproportionately burden developing countries or shift the cost unfairly onto the private sector.' The Minister further underscored the importance of technology transfer, especially for phasing out single-use plastics. 'Reducing plastic bag use hinges on access to viable alternatives—and that depends on technology. Funding must also support access to innovation,' she stressed. In closing, Fouad affirmed that financing, technology transfer, equitable access, and shared responsibility between developed and developing countries are all essential pillars for achieving a robust and effective global treaty to end plastic pollution. The post Environment Minister chairs closing session on Mediterranean Sea protection at UN Ocean Conference appeared first on Dailynewsegypt.
Daily News Egypt
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt's Environment Minister participates in UN Ocean Conference in France
Egypt's Minister of Environment, Yasmine Fouad, has arrived in Nice to attend the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), where she will represent President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi at the high-level opening session. Taking place from June 9 to 13, the conference gathers government leaders, international financial institutions, scientists, NGOs, civil society, and private sector stakeholders to address the world's most pressing ocean-related challenges. Fouad stated that this year's conference will center on three core objectives: protecting marine biodiversity, preserving global fish stocks, and advancing the '30×30' target under the Global Biodiversity Framework—which aims to conserve 30% of the world's oceans and coastal areas by 2030. The event will also assess global progress on Sustainable Development Goal 14, which promotes the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources. Plastic pollution is expected to dominate discussions, especially in the context of negotiations toward a binding global treaty. Fouad highlighted the importance of aligning national positions ahead of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5), scheduled for August 2025 in Geneva. As part of her agenda, Fouad will chair the high-level opening session of an event marking two major regional milestones: the 50th anniversary of the Mediterranean Action Plan and the 30th anniversary of the Barcelona Convention. The gathering will bring together environment and biodiversity ministers, as well as UN officials, to announce national pledges and coordinated strategies to confront the region's triple threat of climate change, biodiversity loss, and plastic pollution. She is also slated to participate in multiple side events, including a ministerial consultation on the proposed global plastic pollution treaty. Key discussion areas include sustainable production and consumption, chemical safety, product design, and financing mechanisms. Another key session on her schedule is titled 'Scaling Up Solutions for a Plastic-Free Mediterranean,' which will explore innovative approaches to tracking plastic waste and building stronger regional and international partnerships.
