The 24th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 24) to the UN Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has opened in Katowice, Poland, on 3 December, gathering parties to push further work on the fight against climate change. The conference, which coincides with the three year anniversary of the Paris Agreement adoption, is expected to finalize the rules for implementation of the Paris Agreement under the Paris Agreement work programme (PAWP). It will also include a number of high-level events, mandated events, action events and roundtables.
Our job here in Katowice is to finalize the Paris Agreement Work Programme – the rule book for implementation. I remind all Parties that this is a deadline you set for yourselves,
…said UN Chief Antonio Guterres to delegates at COP24.
In particular, if COP24 finalizes the Paris Agreement Work Programme, it will put into place the practical implementation guidelines needed to track progress and ensure that climate action is transparent. This in turn will build trust and send a signal that governments are serious about addressing climate change.
What countries say in Poland will determine climate efforts and action for years to come. With high-level events, panel discussions and roundtables, COP24 should address three main issues: the rules and procedures for how countries will meet their commitments, how climate action will be financed, and “ambition”—what countries may be willing to do to exceed their Paris emissions-cutting commitments when they’re updated in 2020. The Paris Agreement Work Programme will make the Paris Agreement fully operational by unlocking ambitious action to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, to adapt to the impacts of climate change, and to empower developing countries.
In the same context, the European Commission adopted last week a strategic long-term vision for a prosperous, modern, competitive and climate neutral economy by 2050, under the title ‘A Clean Planet for all’. The strategy shows how Europe can lead the way to climate neutrality by investing into realistic technological solutions, empowering citizens, and aligning action in key areas such as industrial policy, finance, or research – while ensuring social fairness for a just transition.
This is a crucial moment for following through on the historic commitments of three years ago. We now need political will and courage to finalise a Paris work programme that will allow all countries to make the transition to a truly low-carbon, climate-resilient future. The EU is showing leadership: just last week, the Commission presented a strategic vision for a climate-neutral economy by 2050,
…said Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Cañete on the occasion.
High-level events that will convene during the conference include:
- a High-level Global Climate Action Event on 4 December;
- a high-level part of the stocktake on pre-2020 implementation and ambition on 10 December;
- the third biennial Ministerial High-level Dialogue on Climate Finance under the theme, ‘Translating Climate Finance Needs into Action,’ on 10 December; and
- the political phase of the Talanoa Dialogue, with the opening of the dialogue and ministerial roundtables to be held on 11 December.
In addition, in September 2019, UN Secretary-General António Guterres will convene a climate summit to mobilize political and economic efforts at the highest level possible to strengthen climate action and ambition worldwide. Even if all the commitments made by countries for the Paris Agreement are achieved, the world will still be on a course to warm by more than 3°C this century.
In advance of the 2020 deadline for countries to raise their commitments in their national climate plans, the Summit will focus on practical initiatives to limit emissions and build climate resilience. The Summit will focus on driving action in six areas; namely, energy transition, climate finance and carbon pricing, industry transition, nature-based solutions, cities and local action, and resilience.
Did you know? Together with the UN, Sir David Attenborough has launched a climate action campaign inviting people around the world to share their thoughts on climate change. Thousands of influencers from around the world have joined him by inviting their social media followers to use the hashtag #TakeYourSeat to gather people’s experiences and opinions. In launching The People’s Seat, the UN is working to engage all citizens to add their voices to address the defining issue of our time – climate change. People from around the world had a unique opportunity to make their voices heard and views included in the People’s Address, which was delivered by Sir David Attenborough at the UN Climate Conference COP24 on 3 December in Poland and are being broadcast on social media around the world. If we don’t take climate action, the collapse of our civilisations and the extinction of much of the natural world is on the horizon, …said Sir David Attenborough in his address at COP24. What is more, IMO will also attend the Katowice Conference (COP 24/CMP 14). The organization which is trying to address GHG emissions from ships, will have the following main objectives: