Commissioner Hoekstra’s visit to Chile underscores the growing international momentum to address climate change collectively. As countries work toward global climate goals, this strengthened partnership will undoubtedly play a significant role in the success of COP28 and future global climate action initiatives.
The newly appointed European Commissioner for Climate Action, Wopke Hoekstra, concluded his first official visit to Chile, marking a significant step in the strengthening of bilateral relations between the European Union and Chile. This visit, which comes in anticipation of the upcoming COP28, highlighted climate action as a central theme.
Wopke Hoekstra, the European Commissioner for Climate Action, traveled to Chile on Friday, October 20, marking his first overseas trip since taking office on October 9. In light of the impending signing of the EU-Chile Advanced Framework Agreement and the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), the goal of this visit was to further deepen political dialogue and cooperation between Chile and the European Union (EU) in the fight against climate change and environmental protection.
Commissioner Hoekstra underlined during his visit that Chile is an important ally for the EU in the fight against global warming and emphasized Chile’s lofty goals and leadership position in climate diplomacy in the area. “My top priority on my first international trip as the Commissioner for Climate Action was to visit Chile.”The new EU-Chile Advanced Framework Agreement and our numerous bilateral cooperation projects in this area demonstrate not only our shared commitment to working together to achieve the goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050 but also our shared commitment to working towards it. Both sides agreed on the need for closer collaboration on sustainability, renewable energy, and forest conservation, which are all crucial aspects of reducing global emissions.
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The initiative was started by President Gabriel Boric and President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission during their meeting in Chile in June of this year. The Commissioner attended the first meeting of the Steering Committee of the Team Europe Project for the Development of Renewable Hydrogen in Chile along with Minister of Energy Diego Pardow. The global targets of tripling renewable capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030 were also discussed by the Commissioner and Minister Pardow. Additionally, the proposal for a global carbon market was brought up, and it is anticipated to be advanced at COP28 later this year. He urged the Minister to “continue our great collaboration on common key issues such as renewable hydrogen, carbon markets, methane emission reductions, and critical raw materials”.
Alberto van Klaveren, the Chilean Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the European Commissioner reaffirmed their commitment to further intensifying their cooperation on climate diplomacy. They also talked about the October 12 High-Level Climate and Environment Dialogue between the EU and Chile, during which it was evident that both sides wanted to keep working together and sharing best practices and policies in this field.
After Dutch photojournalist Chas Gerretsen’s “Rewind, Reimagine, Report” exhibition at the Museum of Memory and Human Rights commemorating the 50th anniversary of the coup d’état, Commissioner Hoekstra met with academics, young activists, and members of civil society to hear directly about their priorities and actions in the nation’s fight against climate change in the lead-up to COP28 in Dubai. “The European Union prioritizes listening to and involving youth and civil society in the fight against climate change. Finding out more about the variety of initiatives being implemented by Chile’s civil society and their emphasis on social inclusion and aiding the most disadvantaged populations has been incredibly motivating.”
The European Commissioner’s visit came to an end with a meeting with Maisa Rojas, the Minister of Environment, where they talked about the COP28 climate conference negotiations, specifically focusing on global energy, adaptation targets, and climate finance. During the most recent COP27, Commissioner Hoekstra emphasized the Minister’s crucial contribution to the establishment of a special fund for loss and damage.
