Sweden announces new climate cooperation with Nepal and Dominican Republic
In connection with Stockholm +50 – an international meeting on the environment convened by the UN General Assembly – Sweden signed Memorandums of Understanding with Nepal and the Dominican Republic. The agreements lay the groundwork for climate cooperation between the countries under the terms of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
From left: Pem Narayan Kandel and Robert Andrén & Orlando Jorge Mera and Robert Andrén. Photo by: Patrik C Österberg
To limit the increase in global temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius, countries must cooperate. Article 6 enables this by establishing a framework and rules for international carbon trading. A well-functioning emissions trade can contribute to investments in climate mitigation measures that would not otherwise have taken place; simultaneously it can contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Memorandums of Understanding within the framework of Article 6 have been signed today by The Swedish Energy Agency’s Director General, Robert Andrén, and, respectively, the Dominican Republic’s Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Orlando Jorge Mera, as well as Nepal’s Deputy Minister of Forestry and the Environment, Pem Narayan Kandel.
– With these Memorandums of Understanding we commence cooperation within climate mitigation, with Nepal and the Dominican Republic. These agreements represent the foundation for our continued cooperation and, together, we aim to increase the global climate ambitions and promote the transition to sustainable societies, said Robert Andrén.
Sweden is at the forefront turning Article 6 of the Paris Agreement into actual cooperation. Sweden previously signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ghana.
Update 8 June 2022:
It is with great sadness that we have received the news of the sudden passing of His Excellency, Minister Orlando Jorge Mera. The Swedish Energy Agency remains commitment to strengthen cooperation between our two countries and honor the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed between the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of the Dominican Republic and the Swedish Energy Agency in conjunction with Stockholm +50. Our thoughts and sympathies go out to all those affected by this tragedy which has touched us deeply.
For questions, please contact:
Sandra Lindström, Head of International Climate Cooperation at the Swedish Energy Agency.
About Article 6 of the Paris Agreement
Article 6 of the Paris Agreement enables countries to i.e. cooperate through emissions trading, in order to achieve greater reduction of emissions than those originally prescribed by national reduction goals.
Cooperation agreements under Article 6 can also enable further investments in climate mitigation measures, as well as contribute to increased knowledge and capacity. In short, the trade in emissions reductions enables both financing and implementing of climate mitigation measures which otherwise would not have taken place.
In addition, cooperation under Article 6 shall contribute to sustainability through increased employment opportunities, economic development, and the promotion of equality.
The Swedish Energy Agency is responsible for Sweden’s cooperation under Article 6, and has been a driving force in negotiating a robust set of rules under that prioritise environmental integrity, increased climate ambition and sustainable development.
For Sweden, cooperation under Article 6 is part of a set of “supplementary measures” that can, as needed, be used to achieve Sweden’s goal of net zero emissions of greenhouse gases by 2045.
Read more about Article 6 on The Swedish Energy Agency’s website
