The Prime Minister will call on nations to make ambitious
commitments to secure the planet for the next generation today
[Thursday 24th], as
he addresses a UN Climate Action Roundtable hosted by the UN
Secretary-General.
is attending the virtual roundtable this afternoon to
push for action on climate change and to chart a path to a green
and sustainable recovery from the coronavirus crisis.
He will announce that the UK will co-host an event with the UN on
December 12th to mark the five-year anniversary of the
landmark Paris Agreement, which committed all countries to work
to limit further rises in global temperatures.
The summit will be an opportunity for world leaders to announce
new and enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and
net zero targets.
As part of the Paris Agreement, all countries are due to submit
ambitious new NDCs by the end of this year. NDCs set out what
each country will do by 2030 to help limit global warming and
achieve net zero emissions, from boosting renewable energy to
investing in green transport.
The Prime Minister will call on world leaders to announce
genuinely transformational net zero targets and bold climate
finance pledges at the December 12th event.
Speaking at today’s UN Climate Roundtable, the Prime Minister is
expected to say:
“As the world continues to deal with coronavirus we must look
ahead to how we will rebuild, and how we can seize the
opportunity to build back better.
“The UK will lead by example, keeping the environment on the
global agenda and serving as a launch pad for a global green
industrial revolution. But no one country can turn the tide - it
would be akin to bailing out a liner with a single bucket.
“We cannot let climate action become another victim of
coronavirus. Let us be the leaders who secure the very health of
the planet for our children, grandchildren and generations to
come.”
The Paris Agreement anniversary event will kick off a year of
action in the run up to the global climate summit COP26 in
November 2021, which will be hosted by the UK in partnership with
Italy in Glasgow.
COP26 President and Business Secretary said:
"The eyes of the world will be on COP26 when the UK hosts it in
November next year. But tackling climate change cannot wait.
“That’s why we are setting the stage now with a call to all those
who are ready to step forward this December and set out bold new
Nationally Determined Contributions for a clean and prosperous
future. The responsibility to act lies with each of us and
together we can drive forward action.”
The COP26 and COP25 High Level Champions for Global Climate
Action will also be convening a series of virtual dialogues
across the world in November to bring cities and states,
businesses, civil society and others together to drive forward
the race to net-zero. They will discuss action on areas including
transport, nature and energy to maintain momentum on tackling
climate change at a global scale.
The UK has already doubled its International Climate Finance
funding to £11.6 billion over the next five years and committed
to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Notes to Editors:
- The Prime Minister will be attending the UN Climate Action
Roundtable via videolink from Downing Street
- The UK Climate Change Committee is reviewing its advice on
the UK’s revised NDC and will publish its recommendations in due
course
- The Prime Minister is committed to ensuring that nature-based
solutions are a key part of the fight against climate change, and
he will be addressing two UNGA events on biodiversity next week
- All countries which signed the Paris Agreement will be
invited to the summit on December 12th
