2 January 2021, ... ‘We are getting 2030 in 2020 ... rejoin climate accord. (high confidence) (Figure SPM.1) {1.2} A.1.1 Reflecting the long-term warming trend since pre-industrial times, observed global mean surface temperature (GMST) for Experts warn that the next 10 years are crucial if the planet is to avoid a climate catastrophe. • Arctic sea ice would remain during most summers if warming is kept to 1.5C. “We have to reimagine the energy system and cities,” he said, calling for greater awareness of intergenerational equity. “This is the largest clarion bell from the science community and I hope it mobilises people and dents the mood of complacency.”. “We can set an example and show what can be done. “More often than not, the voices of young people are not heard,” she said, urging leaders to learn from the global youth. Ms. CECI said early stumbling blocks in the green market emerged when trying to fulfil the needs of pension funds while meeting the goals of issuers. She said there is a tendency to work in silos, and despite improvements in including gender requirements in proposals, real implementation of them is lacking. Carbon capture and storage projects, which are essential for reducing emissions in the concrete and waste disposal industries, have also ground to a halt. In terms of private sector engagement, she said road maps are being presented by business sector representatives outlining climate initiatives. Here’s what you can do. Oceans are already suffering from elevated acidity and lower levels of oxygen as a result of climate change. Future vast global infrastructure investment must be sustainable and climate-friendly. The priority now is creating new green financial instruments to service the industry. Ensuring adequate support for adaptation accounts for 54 per cent of the Fund’s grant portfolio, with funds primarily direct to the most vulnerable States. Mr. HASSAN said the current generation has a duty to establish and ensure intergenerational equity in terms of resource conservation. The representative of Mexico stressed the need for a commitment to real action, citing the World Bank’s position on a whole sustainability perspective. This year’s two-part America’s Pledge analysis explores the 2030 impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our energy systems and climate action, and provides a look back on climate progress made by state, city, and business leadership over the past three years. His country has a national strategy for sustainable development that integrates climate issues, looking all the way to 2050, and two months ago established a Centre for Climate and Sustainable Development in Rome. “We show it can be done within laws of physics and chemistry. “I echo that demand,” he said, adding that:  “We must address this global emergency with ambition and urgency.”. In the afternoon, the General Assembly held a high-level panel discussion on “Synergies between climate and sustainable development agendas”, moderated by Inga Rhonda King (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines), President of the Economic and Social Council. He noted that Africa continues to be the continent most affected by climate change. His country considers that issue when developing any project involving resources. Statistics suggest vulnerable countries such as small island developing States receive a mere 2 per cent of climate funding. To prevent irreversible harm to Earth’s life-support systems, humanity must emit less climate-warming greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, while also removing excess carbon from the atmosphere. “We will create the best synergies between climate and the Sustainable Development Goals through the lens of intergenerational dialogue,” she said, noting that even school children are becoming involved in climate action. Ms. WICKRAMANAYAKE said climate change is the most pressing challenge facing the international community and the situation will continue to deteriorate if further action is not taken. Ms. SCHMIDT, President of COP25, called for change and action, stressing that climate action must be linked to long-term development and poverty reduction. ... and that from 2030 to 2050 the rates of deployment remain constant. The Climate Centre in Morocco is helping Africa deal with the Sahel region, and the country is researching solar and new types of energy technology. She noted that the European Union is the top provider of development assistance worldwide, with climate initiatives being increasingly integrated into funding priorities. He pointed to the shift towards a green economy in India as an example of best practice and said upcoming high-level meetings provide a stage to catalyze greater action. Such action must be based on a new narrative that promotes systemic change, said Manish Bapna, Executive Vice-President of the World Resources Institute. This would require carbon prices that are three to four times higher than for a 2C target. Worldwide, thousands of students are mobilizing around the message that we do not have a planet B and there is no future without a planet, she said, calling for their pleas not to fall on deaf ears. Bob Ward, of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change, said the final document was “incredibly conservative” because it did not mention the likely rise in climate-driven refugees or the danger of tipping points that could push the world on to an irreversible path of extreme warming. It’s made them talk more about climate change.”, Regardless of the US and Brazil, he said, China, Europe and major cities could push ahead. She highlighted the need for ambitious goals from every sector, including financial. Such a narrative needs to accord proper attention to the institutions capable of delivering on the 2030 Agenda and Paris Agreement. “We have presented governments with pretty hard choices. The Sustainable Development Goals, however, have been very impactful in the corporate world. The world is no safer from a climate catastrophe after this meeting than it was before. He said the Fund steers its operations to meet the needs of developing countries. Mr. HASSAN said the Maldives has developed a number of programmes to address the impact of climate change. Reforestation is essential to all of them as are shifts to electric transport systems and greater adoption of carbon capture technology. Warning of ‘climate catastrophe,’ UN says 2020 among hottest years ever ... coal and natural gas by 6% each year by 2030 to keep global temperatures from rising more than 1.5 degrees Celsius. “Climate change is occurring earlier and more rapidly than expected. Panellist Javier Manzanares, Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund, said helping developing countries access climate financing is the Fund’s priority and over the past three years its portfolio has included 102 projects worth $5 billion. Only 11 Years Left to Prevent Irreversible Damage from Climate Change ... social and environmental dimensions of the 2030 ... stressing that 11 years are all that remain to avert catastrophe. The term has been used to describe the threat of global warming to the planet, and to urge aggressive climate change mitigation. The IPCC maps out four pathways to achieve 1.5C, with different combinations of land use and technological change. Although unexpectedly good progress has been made in the adoption of renewable energy, deforestation for agriculture was turning a natural carbon sink into a source of emissions. I want to use this report to do something big in China.”, The timing was good, he said, because the Chinese government was drawing up a long-term plan for 2050 and there was more awareness among the population about the problem of rising temperatures. Date: 10/12/20; Ross Clark, The Daily Telegraph ; Has the Government’s Climate Change Committee (CCC) been seized by one of those gangs which promises to tarmac your driveway for £50 and then, when it has finished its shoddy work, tells you, no, you misheard: £50 was the price per square foot? Sea-level rise would affect 10 million more people by 2100 if the half-degree extra warming brought a forecast 10cm additional pressure on coastlines. The Caribbean faces intensifying storm seasons and small countries are struggling to cope with that changing reality. He highlighted the people-centred approach emerging from Katowice and called for a just transition that leaves no people behind, pointing towards the upcoming climate action summit in New York and COP 25 as key moments in addressing the issue. Obstacles lifted when issuers realized they could reach new markets. “But tools are no use if you don’t use them,” he stressed, adding: “We need action, ambition and political will.”. Mr. AL ZEYOUDI said the United Arab Emirates has adopted a whole-of-Government approach for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals that includes initiatives to engage with myriad stakeholders at the national and international levels. Developing countries require a new quantifiable objective for climate action financing, she stressed. Donald Trump has promised to withdraw the US – the world’s biggest source of historical emissions – from the accord. Michelle Lujan Grisham to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to at least 45% below 2005 levels by 2030. “Our future is in your hands, do not let the hope of the world be in vain,” she concluded. All rights reserved. Ms. WICKRAMANAYAKE asked how to create more effective partnerships between Governments, civil society and the private sector. The exchange of ideas was inspiring, and his country had prepared a report summarizing the exchange of ideas. Medics warn of coronavirus ‘catastrophe’ in Lebanon as cases surge. Food scarcity would be less of a problem and hundreds of millions fewer people, particularly in poor countries, would be at risk of climate-related poverty. If passed, the bill would codify in state statute climate-related targets set by Gov. Floods in 2009 and 2015 were worst in Cumbria for centuries – study, Little-noticed treaty could help delay climate catastrophe, Climate crisis: flooding threat ‘may force UK towns to be abandoned’, Flood threat may result in people being moved to new areas, Geoengineering may be used to combat global warming, experts say, Rising sea levels will claim homes around English coast, report warns, US economists win Nobel prize for work on climate and growth, From London to Shanghai, world's sinking cities face devastating floods, Overwhelmed by climate change? Little-noticed treaty could help delay climate catastrophe. Ms. SVEDLING pointed to a fossil-free initiative in Sweden and the importance of multilayered discussion between unions, businesses, politicians and youth representatives. The research emphasises the real danger of reliance on CCS in energy for delivering these vital emission reductions, given they cannot be expected to any degree until at least 2030. Ms. KING, closing the discussion, said action requires strong partnerships and better coherence among multiple partners. It featured presentations by Hussain Rasheed Hassan, Minister for Environment of the Maldives; Yassmin Fouad, Minister for Environment of Egypt; Eva Svedling, Secretary of State at the Ministry for Environment and Energy of Sweden; Marilyn Ceci, Managing Director and Head of Green Bonds of J.P. Morgan; and Javier Manzanares, Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund. Mr. MANZANARES said helping developing countries access climate financing is the core goal of the Green Climate Fund and adaptation is the priority for the most vulnerable countries. The meeting — held pursuant to General Assembly resolution 72/219 (2017) — will run through 29 March with a focus on protection of the global climate for present and future generations, in the context of the economic, social and environmental dimensions of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. ... 13,784 Scientists Say These 6 Things Can Stop Climate Catastrophe ... which calls for the restoration of 350 million hectares of forests and lands by 2030. Ms. WICKRAMANAYAKE then asked Ms. Ceci what opportunities for investment are emerging in the climate and sustainable development spheres. Addressing the real‑life impact of climate change was Shedona Richardson, youth representative of Grenada. Turning to population growth, he said Africa may have 4 billion inhabitants by the end of the century. The General Assembly’s meeting gives youth leaders hope that global leaders understand the time for action is now. Noting that “hundreds of thousands — perhaps millions” of people have been affected by cyclone Idai in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe, he said such events are becoming more frequent and will become worse without urgent, immediate action. “I invite you all to commit to 2020 being the last year carbon emissions increase due to human activities,” she said, noting that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals requires meeting climate benchmarks. Further, Egypt launched initiatives that provide training for youth on the use of low-carbon technologies as a means to create jobs. The floor was then opened for an interactive exchange. The direct impact of climate change hits the poorest nations hardest as they lack resources to properly mitigate the phenomenon. Against that backdrop, she stressed the need to act. Further echoing the global youth’s call to action was United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, who said young people are demanding that today’s leaders act on behalf of future generations. Pointing to intensified calls by youth leaders for action on climate change, she said that 2019 must be a year of climate action at all levels. The report, issued on Monday by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, ... greenhouse pollution must be reduced by 45 percent from 2010 levels by 2030, and 100 percent by 2050. The Summary for Policymakers (SPM) presents the key findings of the Special Report, based on the assessment of the available scientific, technical and socio-economic literature relevant to global warming of 1.5°C. Only our audience can – and that is the governments that receive it.”. The Earth’s climate and ecological systems are deeply intertwined. A focus on CCS will not help achieve 2030 CO2 emission reduction targets being adopted by Governments, which have to be met if we are to prevent a climate catastrophe. Indigenous people have a “law” to pass on information to younger generations. Throughout the second discussion, panellists stressed the need to promote technology transfers, provide targeted development assistance and create favourable financing packages that allow vulnerable States to adapt to, and mitigate, climate change. PETTERI TAALAS, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), noted the recent Cyclone Idai in Mozambique, Malawai and Zimbabwe, oceans warming by half a degree, and the most expensive hurricane season in Caribbean history, all of which demonstrate a worsening situation demanding action. The world must escape this growth model, which persists even in United Nations debates. Mr. MANZANARES agreed on the need for a mechanism for a green youth portfolio and green equity fund. Ms. ROBINSON said the debate on climate change is evolving and the seriousness of the situation is being acknowledged. Then the final tick box is political will. She noted a lack of pressure on corporations to advance environmentally sound pension programmes. “That was the day mother nature fought back after being treated so unkindly for so long,” she said. First published on Sun 7 Oct 2018 21.00 EDT. The floor was then opened for respondents. The representative of Italy said the model of development must be rethought. OMAR FIGUEROA, Minister for State of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration of Belize, said Governments alone cannot solve the problem and the private sector and youth must be involved. To her, climate change and global warming were ambiguous terms until her life, and that of her fellow Grenadians, was forever altered by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. Drawing inspiration from the thousands of students worldwide demanding tangible action, she called on world leaders to make 2020 the last year carbon emissions increase due to human activities. “We need to take bold and innovative climate action to accelerate change towards the future we want,” she said. “Now is the time for action,” she said, pointing to the direct impact climate change is having on small island developing States, women and young people. “Climate justice is intergenerational justice,” she said, adding that States must act collectively and responsibly. Not an official record. • If warming is kept to 1.5C, coral reefs will still decline by 70-90% but if temperatures rise to 2C virtually all of the world's reefs would be lost, “It’s a line in the sand and what it says to our species is that this is the moment and we must act now,” said Debra Roberts, a co-chair of the working group on impacts. “I hope this can change the world,” said Jiang Kejun of China’s semi-governmental Energy Research Institute, who is one of the authors. “We have no more time to waste,” she added. The UK has announced its NDC, with an emissions cut of 68% by 2030 compared with 1990 levels, a marked improvement on its 2015 NDC containing only a 53% cut, though climate experts said a … Insects, which are vital for pollination of crops, and plants are almost twice as likely to lose half their habitat at 2C compared with 1.5C. NEZHA EL OUAFI, Secretary of State and Ministry of Environment of Morocco, expressed sadness over unprecedented flooding in Malawi and Mozambique, noting no country is spared from climate change today. “That was the day mother nature fought back after being treated so unkindly for so long,” she said, adding that the international community is failing to act as small island developing States face the existential threat of climate change. Noting a “growing momentum for transformational change”, he pointed to new, less costly technologies, such as solar and onshore wind power, and called for an end to subsidies for fossil fuels, enacting real carbon pricing, and closing coal plants. Among initiatives undertaken in the Maldives is a 2004 conservation project that fostered public-private partnerships to protect one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Ms. FOUAD responded to the youth representative that discussions for the Paris Agreement had led to a commitment of $100 billion in climate funding by 2020. Scientists who reviewed the 6,000 works referenced in the report, said the change caused by just half a degree came as a revelation. That is probably necessary if we want to keep shorelines where they are and preserve our coastal cities.”. There is a growing recognition that 2C is dangerous.”, Available for everyone, funded by readers, Analysis in north-west England linked to evidence of UK’s vulnerability to climate crisis, 2016 Kigali amendment on hydrofluorocarbons could reduce warming by a small but crucial 0.5C, Environment Agency calls for urgent action to protect country from river and coastal floods, Major Met Office report predicts warming up up to 5C, plus more heatwaves and more rain. We cannot answer that. She asked Ms. Svedling what policy interventions are needed to achieve emission cuts and how intergenerational equity factors into those strategies. Citing the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s 2018 special report and its warning that humankind has less than 12 years to avoid potentially irreversible climate disruption, he announced the convening of a climate action summit, calling on leaders to meet in New York on 23 September with concrete, realistic plans to enhance nationally determined contributions by 2020. “If we want real change we must bring all relevant actors together,” she concluded. The Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 °C (SR15) was published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on 8 October 2018. He suggested the use of an integrated narrative that brings the Sustainable Development Goals and climate action together in an exciting way that promotes systemic changes. The world’s leading climate scientists have warned there is only a dozen years for global warming to be kept to a maximum of 1.5C, beyond which even half a degree will significantly worsen the risks of drought, floods, extreme heat and poverty for hundreds of millions of people. Monaco aims to reduce emissions by 50 per cent by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and plans to replenish the Green Climate Fund by €3 million by 2022. The Fund has built a portfolio of 102 projects worth $5 billion that includes cross-cutting city programmes and partnerships with local financial institutions. This will require an urgent and large-scale transition to clean and renewable sources of energy. Reversing these trends is essential if the world has any chance of reaching 1.5C without relying on the untried technology of solar radiation modification and other forms of geo-engineering, which could have negative consequences. 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