NATIONS AND LEADERS IN NEW AMBITION FOR CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION

Nations and leaders took a major stride towards a resilient, net zero emissions future during the weekend by presenting ambitious new commitments, immediate actions and tangible plans to tackle the climate crisis. co-met by the United Nations, the UK and France,  in partnership with Italy and Chile on the 5th anniversary of the Paris agreement, Climate Ambition Summit evidenced a major landmark on the path to the important climate conference COP26 in Glasgow in November, 2021.

[photo credit: google]

More than 70 leaders from all continents sketched out new commitments for climate change action at the summit and this is a clear sign that more than ever before the compass of international action, the Paris Agreement is working to urgently increase climate change action. This goes to show that climate change is at the top of the global agenda despite the severe challenges of COVID-19. The dangers of climate change is increasing and needs immediate action to curb it.

Gathered from the summit, it is expected that countries representing around 65 per cent of global CO2 emissions, and around 70per cent of the world’s economy, will be committed to reaching net zero emissions or carbon neutrality by early next year.

Reported from the guardian, 'These commitments must now be backed up with concrete plans and actions, starting now, to achieve these goals, and summit delivered a surge in progress on this front.  

The number of countries coming forward with strengthened national climate plans (NDCs) grew significantly, with commitments covering 71 countries. As well as the EU NDC, a further 27 of these new and enhanced NDCs were announced at or shortly before the Summit.

A growing number of countries (15) shifted gears from incremental to major increases. Countries committing to much stronger NDCs at the summit, included Argentina, Barbados, Canada, Colombia, Iceland, and Peru.

About 12 donor countries, highlighted their commitments to support developing countries, including just under €500m in additional investment from Germany, an additional €1 billion per year from France from its previous target, as well as a World Bank commitment to ensure that 35per cent of their portfolio includes climate co-benefits, and EIB commitment to ensure that 50 per cent includes climate co-benefits, as well as 100 per cent alignment of EIB’s activities on Paris agreement.
 
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, said: “The summit has now sent strong signals that more countries and more businesses are ready to take the bold climate action on which our future security and prosperity depend.   pull together and demonstrate real leadership and ambition in the fight to save our planet.”

The UK has led the way with a commitment to cut emissions by at least 68 percent by 2030 and to end support for the fossil fuel sector overseas as soon as possible, and it’s fantastic to see new pledges from around the world that put us on the path to success ahead of COP26 in Glasgow.
 
“There is no doubt that we are coming to the end of a dark and difficult year, but scientific innovation has proved to be our salvation as the vaccine is rolled out. We must use that same ingenuity and spirit of collective endeavour to tackle the climate crisis, create the jobs of the future and build back better.”