I. Introduction

The Greening EU International Cooperation Toolbox replaces the 2016 guidelines ‘Integrating the environment and climate change into EU international cooperation and development’. It consists of a core section and annexes that offer more detailed guidance and tools.

The toolbox reflects new EU policy priorities such as the Global Gateway and the European Green Deal, as well as the growing urgency to accelerate the green transition and environmental and climate action. Alignment to key international commitments is also at the core of this toolbox, primarily to the Paris Agreement and the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

These require a significant shift in the way environment and climate action is treated in international partnerships. Whereas avoidance and minimisation of adverse impacts on the environment and climate is a basic requirement reflected in the 'do no harm' (DNH) and 'do no significant harm' (DNSH) principles, alignment to environmental and climate objectives is fundamental, and positive contributions to environmental sustainability, climate resilience and low carbon development should be encouraged as a starting point for all actions.

This toolbox is in line with the current international cooperation instruments (NDICI-Global Europe and IPA III) and takes account of the new approaches towards mutually beneficial international partnerships, which prioritise support to investments in the form of the provision of guarantees and the use of innovative financial instruments. It also reflects the emphasis on coordinated action at EU level (Team Europe) and the need to promote enabling policies and address green and social priorities under the 360-degree approach of the EU Global Gateway Agenda.

This is a living toolbox that will be updated periodically.

• 1.1. Purpose and policy context
  • 1.1.1. Embracing the environmental and climate agenda
  • 1.1.2. International policy commitments
  • 1.1.3. EU policy commitments
  • 1.1.4. EU international cooperation instruments
  • 1.1.5. A new ambition in practice
• 1.2. Climate and biodiversity financial targets
  • 1.2.1. Background
  • 1.2.2. Climate targets
  • 1.2.3. Biodiversity targets
  • 1.2.4. Tracking EU support