Carbon emissions are reaching unprecedented levels. Recent years have seen the warmest events in history and Arctic winter temperatures have increased by up to 3°C since 1990. Sea levels are constantly rising, coral reefs are disappearing and we can already see the impact of the Climate change on health through air pollution, atypical heat episodes and their consequences in the agri-food sector.
The impacts of climate change are a global risk and are having consequences on everyone's life. National economies are affected, which is costing us dearly and will be even more costly in the future.
However, it is beginning to be recognized that there are now feasible solutions that will allow us to make the leap to cleaner and more sustainable economies.
The latest data indicates that if we act now, we can reduce carbon emissions within 12 years and stop the rise in average annual temperature to below 2°C.
The latest legal framework available is the Paris Agreement, a precise and viable regulatory framework that details the measures to be taken to reduce our impact on the climate. However, this agreement will not be effective if it is not accompanied by concrete and joint actions.
The Secretary General of the UN, António Guterres, has invited all world leaders to come to New York on September 23, 2019 with concrete and realistic programs for 2020, with the idea of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 45 % in the next ten years and zero by 2050.
The Summit will bring together governments, private companies, civil society and other international organizations to propose applicable solutions in six areas:
- The transition towards renewable energies;
- Infrastructure and sustainable cities;
- Sustainable agriculture and management of our oceans and forests;
- Adaptation to climate impacts;
- Harmonization of public and private financing
To ensure that the actions implemented have the greatest impact on the real economy, the Secretary General has prioritized the following action portfolios, which have a high potential to curb greenhouse gas emissions and global action for adaptation and the resilience.
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Finance: mobilization of financing sources to drive the decarbonization of all priority sectors.
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Energy transition: accelerating the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
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Industrial transition: transformation of oil, steel, chemical, cement, gas or information technology industries.
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Nature-based measures: reducing emissions, increasing absorption capacity and improving resilience in forestry, agriculture, oceans and food systems, including the conservation of biodiversity, the promotion of supply chains and technology.
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Local and city action: Advancing mitigation at the local level, with a particular focus on new commitments on low-emission buildings, public transport and urban infrastructure, and resilience for the poor and vulnerable.
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Resilience and adaptation: fostering global efforts to address and manage the impacts and risks of climate change, particularly in the most vulnerable communities and nations
