United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres urges climate action and to build momentum in adopting a climate change agreement on 2015.
The Lima Conference, which started in December 1 and ends on December 12, will lay the foundation for an effective new, universal climate change agreement in Paris in 2015. The conference will also act as a precursor on an agreement coming into effect in 2020.
During the conference, governments meeting need to define the scope and the type of contributions they will provide to the Paris agreement, particularly, in the lines of finance, technology and capacity building. The conference will also need to provide clarity on the 2015 agreement in the form of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions, or I.N.D.C.s.
“2014 is likely to be the hottest year on record and emissions continue to rise. We must act with urgency,” Ms. Figueres warned in her opening address at the 20th session of the Conference of Parties in Lima, Peru.
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“Here in Lima, to aspire to great heights ourselves, we must draw several critical lines of action,” she continues.
Ms. Figueres noted that in the conference, parties must consolidate progress on adaptation, enhance the delivery of finance, and stimulate ever-increasing action on the part of all stakeholders.
“With success in these areas, C.O.P. 20/C.M.P. 10 is poised to deliver pre-2020 action, set the stage for a strong Paris agreement and increase ambition over time, ultimately fulfilling a long-term vision of climate neutrality in the pursuit of development that is truly sustainable for all,” Ms. Figueres said.
Meanwhile, the environmental organization Greenpeace noted a few key issues that governments must agree on at the Lima Conference.
According to Greenpeace, governments must establish a direction that is headed towards 100 percent renewable for all and the phasing out of fossil fuels by 2050; the conference must agree that governments must not delay action; and that the conference must agree that the fairness and adequacy of what countries are putting forward in the next months is reviewed before governments meet again in Paris in December 2015.
Tangible success so far
The U.N.F.C.C.C. head welcomed the leaderships of the European Union, the United States, and China who have publicly announced their post-2020 climate targets and visions.
“It is hugely encouraging that well ahead of next year’s first quarter deadline, countries have already been outlining what they intend to contribute to the Paris agreement. This is also a clear sign that countries are determined to find common ground and maximize the potential of international cooperation,” she said.
She also cited the recent pledging conference held in Berlin, Germany, wherein countries pledged towards the initial capitalization of the Green Climate Fund totaling around $9.3 billion (see related story).
“This shows that countries are determined to build trust and to provide the finance that developing countries need to move forward towards decarbonizing their economies and building resilience,” she commented. – L. Polintan
