Recovering from C19 offers nations a chance to reorder policies and plans that will build resilience as well as cities and countries that are clean, green, healthy and sustainable

“I am talking about building forward towards the future. Respect the planet, respect the land, recognize the importance of biodiversity and our intricate relationship with it. I am talking about positive transformation at a global scale, a great human project”, the UN climate chief, said during a virtual presentation at the London School of Economics (LSE).

Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, said that never a generation has the opportunity to change so much in so little time. It will require an incredible amount of work to accomplish. We must move quickly, and we must get it right.

On a solid tone, Espinosa warned that 2021 is the most critical year for climate change since adopting the Paris agreement. “It’s time for nations to work their top, it’s time for society to stand by their decision, it’s time for intention to turn into action”.

During the virtual presentation, Espinosa underlined that COP26 must be a success for the planet, “for those who share it and those who will inherit it”.

Espinosa explained that success would depend on four main pillars. Firstly, promises made must be promises kept. The developed nation must mobilize 100 billion annually to developing countries by 2020. “This obligation can’t be ignored, and it is in the self-interest of the developed countries to fulfil these commitments.” Second, it’s time to implement. Getting an agreement on article 6, about emissions markets and other cooperatives approaches. Implementation must be crust cutting. “Just as climate change knows no jurisdiction with respect to its impact, efforts to address it must permeate all government departments and inform all policymakers at all levels, international, domestic and local”. Third, it’s time to lower emissions and raise ambitions. It’s time to close the gap between global expectations and political commitments. “When I talk about raising ambitions, we are not only talking about mitigation, but also increasing ambition in adaptation and resilience, and support developing countries”. Fourth, not goal or solution must be left behind. Inclusive multilateralism is the only way forward. “Everyone has a role to play, and everyone must be involved”. 

Espinosa ended her virtual presentation with a positive note. According to the UN chief, momentum is in favour of climate change initiatives. The international body is encouraged by Korea, Japan, and China’s announcements regarding their long term plans. Japan and South Korea have committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and China to sealed emissions peak before 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2060.

COP 26 will be held in Glasgow this year, and its main challenge will be to resolve some of the most pressing and outstanding promises of the Paris Agreement.