We need long-term strategies to meet the climate challenge.
Often in the immense challenge of climate change, we focus on the immediate action that needs to happen (The Paris climate agreement).
Often in the immense challenge of climate change, we focus on the immediate action that needs to happen (The Paris climate agreement). The Paris Agreement is a bold statement by the international community under the United Nations to transform the global economy. The goals enshrined in the agreement will only be achieved if we limit the impact that our power generation, production methods, agriculture and consumption patterns have on the climate system. The Agreement is itself a global strategy for the longer term that is defined by three aims:
First, limit the average global temperature rise to well below 2 degree Celsius above preindustrial levels and pursue efforts to limit this increase to 1.5 degree Celsius
Second, increase the ability to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change and foster climate-resilient and low greenhouse gas emissions development, in a manner that does not threaten food production.
Third, make financial flows consistent with a pathway toward low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development.
This provides clear direction for long-term development. Science states that achieving the long-term temperature goal requires global greenhouse gas emissions to peak by 2020. To reach net-zero global net greenhouse gas emissions before the end of this century, we need to strike a balance between emissions from human development and the planet’s capacity to remove emissions through healthy, natural ecosystems and sound land management.
This transformation must be achieved over time but also in time. Policies need to be put in place now. Technologies need to be developed, matured, and deployed at scale. The practices and behaviors of all economic actors need to move ever faster toward low-emission and sustainable business and investment models.
UN Climate Change is glad to collaborate with World Resources Institute and United Nations Development Program to provide nations and stakeholders with a library of value resources to help develop long-term climate strategies and ensure they are successfully implemented.
UN Climate Change is committed to leverage our many years of multilateral cooperation to achieve a better future for humanity. It is how we can come together to meet the challenge of climate change.
Source:UNFCCC
Picture credit to:ZACHARY STAINES
