Latest news with #UNClimateChange
Straits Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Brazil to push for corporate, local government climate targets at COP30
FILE PHOTO: COP30 President Ambassador Andre Correa do Lago listens to Simon Stiell, Secretary of UN Climate Change (UNFCCC), during an event in Brasilia, Brazil February 6, 2025. REUTERS/Andressa Anholete/File Photo BRASILIA - COP30 president Brazil on Friday proposed expanding emissions reduction commitments to include pledges from companies, states, and cities, aiming to bolster global climate efforts following the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. Brazilian diplomats preparing for the climate summit have been working closely with the U.N. to encourage countries to submit updated targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by September, after many missed the February deadline. The Paris accord, in which almost all nations agreed to limit warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial levels, requires countries to submit such targets, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and update them every few years. In a letter released Friday, COP30 President Ambassador Andre Correa do Lago proposed widening the path for reducing emissions by creating a "global NDC" that would incorporate targets from various actors, not just countries, to transform the Global Stocktake - the process for reviewing Paris Agreement progress. "Our aim is to bring a new dynamic to global climate action, aligning the efforts made by businesses, civil society and all levels of government in coordinated action," Lago wrote, proposing the term "GDC," or "globally determined contribution," for the expanded initiative. While Lago did not explicitly frame the initiative as a response to U.S. policy changes, he acknowledged it would allow participation from U.S. companies and local governments that have kept their commitment to help curb climate change despite the Trump administration's formal exit from the Paris Agreement. "Our action agenda is opening up a lot of space for the U.S. side that wants to participate," Lago said, adding the proposal would also encourage countries with conservative emissions targets to be more ambitious. The Brazilian diplomat said private sector actors often move faster on climate action than governments, which are vulnerable to complex considerations such as the role of oil companies in spurring economic growth or the costs of transforming electricity grids. Dan Ioschpe, a Brazilian businessman appointed as COP30's "climate champion," said the initiative would provide clarity for non-state actors to align with Paris Agreement goals. "Not only in the United States, but in general in countries where the national government is not so involved in the issue, we are seeing governors, mayors, and the private sector extremely involved," Ioschpe said. COP30, to be hosted in the Amazonian city of Belem in November, marks the 10th anniversary of the Paris accord. REUTERS Find out more about climate change and how it could affect you on the ST microsite here.
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Brazil to push for corporate, local government climate targets at COP30
FILE PHOTO: COP30 President Ambassador Andre Correa do Lago listens to Simon Stiell, Secretary of UN Climate Change (UNFCCC), during an event in Brasilia, Brazil February 6, 2025. REUTERS/Andressa Anholete/File Photo BRASILIA (Reuters) -COP30 president Brazil on Friday proposed expanding emissions reduction commitments to include pledges from companies, states, and cities, aiming to bolster global climate efforts following the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. Brazilian diplomats preparing for the climate summit have been working closely with the U.N. to encourage countries to submit updated targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by September, after many missed the February deadline. The Paris accord, in which almost all nations agreed to limit warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial levels, requires countries to submit such targets, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and update them every few years. In a letter released Friday, COP30 President Ambassador Andre Correa do Lago proposed widening the path for reducing emissions by creating a"global NDC" that would incorporate targets from various actors, not just countries, to transform the Global Stocktake - the process for reviewing Paris Agreement progress. "Our aim is to bring a new dynamic to global climate action, aligning the efforts made by businesses, civil society and all levels of government in coordinated action," Lago wrote, proposing the term "GDC," or "globally determined contribution," for the expanded initiative. While Lago did not explicitly frame the initiative as a response to U.S. policy changes, he acknowledged it would allow participation from U.S. companies and local governments that have kept their commitment to help curb climate change despite the Trump administration's formal exit from the Paris Agreement. "Our action agenda is opening up a lot of space for the U.S. side that wants to participate," Lago said, adding the proposal would also encourage countries with conservative emissions targets to be more ambitious. The Brazilian diplomat said private sector actors often move faster on climate action than governments, which are vulnerable to complex considerations such as the role of oil companies in spurring economic growth or the costs of transforming electricity grids. Dan Ioschpe, a Brazilian businessman appointed as COP30's "climate champion," said the initiative would provide clarity for non-state actors to align with Paris Agreement goals. "Not only in the United States, but in general in countries where the national government is not so involved in the issue, we are seeing governors, mayors, and the private sector extremely involved," Ioschpe said. COP30, to be hosted in the Amazonian city of Belem in November, marks the 10th anniversary of the Paris accord. (Reporting and writing by Lisandra Paraguassu, editing by Manuela Andreonim, Editing by William Maclean)
Scoop
5 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Address To The Opening Plenary Of The UN June Climate Meetings, Sixty-Second Session Of The Subsidiary Bodies (SB62)
Executive Secretary Simon Stiell UN Climate Change Bonn, Germany Excellencies, Delegates, Friends, Welcome to Bonn, and the 62nd session of the Subsidiary Bodies. There is lots of complex work ahead, so allow me to start with a few simple truths. First: this process matters, deeply. The progress you make in the next 10 days makes a very real difference to billions of lives and livelihoods, in every country. These sessions are where we move from concept to clarity – across sectors, systems, and societies. You are laying down the tracks that further deliver implementation. In the real economy – where deep emissions cuts and transformative adaptation must be delivered. Quickly and fairly. Second: this process is delivering real progress. Thanks to your tireless efforts and ability to compromise, recent COPs have all produced concrete, major global steps forward. Even if imperfect, even if no country gets everything it wants, this is human solidarity in action, with real-life benefits for billions of people. Let's not forget: without UN-convened climate multilateralism, we would be headed for up to 5C of global heating. Now it's around 3. It's a measure of how far we've come, and how far to go. A reminder that 1.5, and protecting all people, continue to be both achievable over the course of time, and utterly essential. Likewise, this year, beneath the noisier negative news, there are plenty of good reasons for optimism. We are seeing green lights for climate actions from many of the world's biggest economies, sending powerful demand signals to investors and doers. Yes, there are headwinds – as there always are – but they do not set humanity's course. The tide has turned for climate action, and there's no turning it back, because it's entirely in every nation's own interests. So I urge you - let's show how we are rising to this moment - with a unity of purpose that is stronger than ever, and laser-focused on real-world results. This also requires being pragmatic: the acceleration still needed will only be possible if our process is adequately resourced. We welcome the growing mandates you have given the secretariat. And through the secretariat's budget, we have found significant cost savings and efficiencies, so that we can keep delivering fully on all of these growing mandates. But this approach is not sustainable. You are all aware of our budget challenges. I urge you to address them fully through your deliberations here in Bonn, to make sure this process keeps getting concrete results that move the world forward. This brings me to my third point: the world is watching closely, as climate impacts get rapidly worse in every country. We must show climate cooperation can keep delivering real progress, and can drive the acceleration demanded by science, to protect people and prosperity. That means these June sessions must: Agree the final steps for delivering indicators under the Global Goal on Adaptation at COP30. Unlock delivery under the Just Transition Work Programme Work so that it helps move 'Just Transition' from a necessary concept to a lived reality, across economies and societies. Deep-dive into the Roadmap to the 1.3 Trillion so that it's not just a report, but rather a how-to guide with clear next steps on dramatically scaling up climate finance and investment. Ensure the mitigation work programme builds momentum for realizing actionable solutions that respond to the urgency we must all confront. Make progress on defining this era of implementation – what it means to deliver on all the commitments we've collectively made to the planet and each other – including in the first Global Stocktake. None of these issues are easy. Disagreement is natural. But our process must be safe and respectful for all. Full adherence to the Code of Conduct is non-negotiable. Friends, guided by the three interlinked priorities set out by the incoming Presidency: To reinforce multilateralism under the Convention. To connect our work to billions of real lives. And to accelerate implementation. Let's get to work. The Secretariat will be with you at every step.
Hindustan Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Bonn climate summit a key test ahead of UN meet
The Bonn Climate Change Conference, the meeting that serves as a midway point between the larger annual UN Climate Change meeting (COP30), is set to open on Monday and will continue till June 26. The Bonn meeting is critical to thrash out differences before the parties meet in November for a climate deal, which will take place amid severe geopolitical turmoil and renewed tensions as Israel strikes Iran. The shadow of failed climate finance talks at COP29, Baku, also shroud these meetings. There are divergent views on the Baku to Belem road map to 1.3T, which is expected to be finalised at COP30 in Brazil this November. For example, according to an analysis made by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), G77 and China demand that equity and Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) must be at the core of climate finance, and developing countries must be allowed to self-determined pathways to use finance; the Like Minded Developing Countries (LMDC), another coalition of developing nations, has sought exclusion of international taxes, levies and debt approaches as they violate sovereignty. HT reported on June 3 that India has put forth its expectations, stating that without sufficient climate finance, even proposed nationally determined contributions will not materialise, leave alone any ambitious future NDCs. India has said climate finance should flow from developed countries to developing countries, and that public capital should be used strategically to crowd in private investments for climate action, pointing out that excessive borrowing poses risks to a country's fiscal stability. In an interview to HT earlier this month, Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav said: 'India's asks would be as articulated in Article 4.7 of the UNFCCC, i.e., economic and social development and poverty eradication are the first and overriding priorities of the developing countries. No proposed strategies should foreclose the possibilities of accelerated social and economic development for developing countries. The principle of CBDR-RC should be reinforced. As regards India, its overarching goal of Viksit Bharat 2047 is of paramount importance and accordingly, climate actions of India should align with the goal of Viksit Bharat.' The Arab Group has also warned against approaches that reshape finance obligations from developed to developing countries. The EU, on the other hand, has said the road map should be a tool to unlock private capital for climate investments, proposing innovative financial instruments, carbon pricing etc. Canada has also proposed mapping barriers to private capital, creating enabling environments in developing countries. The difference in priorities is obvious. To be sure, the US, the largest historical emitter of greenhouse gas emissions, has pulled out of the Paris Agreement. In January, President Donald Trump had signed an executive order soon after taking office directing the US' withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement, weakening what had, over the past four years especially, become a global movement to combat the climate crisis. The turmoil and differences come at a time when climate change impacts have become stark and urgent. HT reported on June 12 that the World Weather Attribution has concluded that climate change added 3 degrees Celsius to heat conditions in the Arctic region — which caused Greenland's ice sheet to melt 17 times the normal rate last month. Until May, the world experienced an extended phase of 21 months with global-average temperatures more than 1.5°C above the pre-industrial level. The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) warned that there is an 80% chance that a year between 2025 and 2029 will be warmer than 2024 and that there is a 70% chance that the five-year average warming for 2025-2029 will surpass 1.5°C leading to frequent and severe heat waves, droughts, and extreme weather events. The next few weeks present a rare and revealing sequence: the G7 Summit (June 15–17), SB62 in Bonn (June 16–26), and the Financing for Development Conference in Seville (June 30–July 3). Together, they expose the power dynamics that continue to stall climate finance, Climate Action Network said in a statement on Friday. 'We are facing a crisis of legitimacy and a breakdown of trust in the UN climate process. Government negotiators at the SB62 session (Bonn) must send a clear signal that the decisions and actions they take will ensure that justice is not a side conversation, but the core principle that will determine whether COP30 can succeed or not,' said Tasneem Essop, executive director at Climate Action Network International. Only 22 countries have submitted updated national climate plans (aka NDCs) due this year with only one (the UK) rated in line with the 1.5°C temperature goal set in the Paris Agreement. Among major polluters, China and the EU are yet to land their 2035 targets. 'As if things were not uncertain enough, this year has also seen a new and extreme level of political weaponisation of the global economy and trade by the new administration at the helm of the US... As geopolitics worsen and the global economy continues to teeter, the implications are being felt across multilateral spaces, including UNFCCC. The strain of the rapidly degrading sense of cooperation among countries threatens faith in the legitimacy of multilateralism and the institutions that uphold it,' CAN said. 'We're in the middle of multiple escalating crises. There are few spaces remaining where countries come together and cooperate. It's more important than ever before that multilateralism is upheld and the goals that have been set — such as the transition away from fossil fuels in Dubai and the climate finance goal in Baku. The Bonn conference must reinforce our commitment to cooperative, equitable climate action despite the current moment,' said Avantika Goswami, Programme Manager, Climate Change Centre for Science and Environment. 'As political crises and global conflicts dominate headlines, we must not lose sight of the escalating climate emergency. Climate disasters are intensifying, hitting the most vulnerable communities and countries the hardest. The mid-year climate talks are not a side note — they are the foundation for a successful COP30. We need urgent progress now to deliver real climate finance, accelerate a just transition away from fossil fuels, and protect both people and nature. Delaying action means deepening injustice and multiplying both human and ecological costs,' said Harjeet Singh, climate activist and founding director of Satat Sampada Climate Foundation.
Arab News
27-05-2025
- General
- Arab News
Environment minister highlights Kingdom's role in green initiatives across Arab region
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's commitment to environmental issues is helping to drive green initiatives across the region, the Kingdom's minister of environment, water and agriculture said. Speaking at the 18th meeting of the Center for Environment and Development for the Arab Region and Europe in Cairo, Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli underscored the Arab region's growing environmental momentum. That surge, led by Saudi Arabia, he said, had driven key initiatives like the Middle East Green Initiative, which seeks to enhance regional collaboration to combat land degradation, protect green spaces, ensure food security and adapt to climate change. Al-Fadhli praised the center's efforts to strengthen cooperation between the Arab and European regions and to share environmental and developmental expertise, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday. The meeting focused on improving the center's operations and efficiency, with discussions highlighting the need to redefine its goals to meet current and future challenges. Delegates also reviewed the center's strategic plans, assessed its institutional and financial capacity for sustained program delivery and explored ways to enhance regional cooperation in the circular economy to support sustainable development goals, the report said. Al-Fadhli highlighted the Arab region's efforts to tackle global environmental challenges, with Egypt hosting the 27th UN Climate Change Conference in 2022 and the UAE hosting COP28 in 2023. Saudi Arabia last year hosted COP16 of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification and announced the establishment of the Global Water Organization in Riyadh, reflecting the region's commitment to environmental conservation. Al-Fadhli reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's dedication to working with environmental stakeholders regionally and globally, to address environmental challenges and promote a sustainable future.
