Climate Week NYC 2015 concludes with ambitious COP21 plans

Climate Week NYC 2015 concluded on Monday with leaders from governments, the United Nations and the private sector meeting to work towards a global deal due to be signed in Paris in December.

The leaders met at the French Institute in New York and agreed to work together to secure a strong agreement at the UN Climate Change Conference taking place in the French capital from 30 November to 11 December.

The global deal will be designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prevent an average global temperature increase of 2°C that scientists say could cause catastrophic impacts of climate change.

Business and subnational leaders submitted a raft of ambitious commitments to cut emissions, and urged negotiators in Paris to match their ambition.

Speaking at the event, Todd Stern – President Obama’s Special Envoy for Climate Change, said: “The stars are more aligned now for an historic universal agreement than they have ever been… So let’s work together. Let’s keep our eyes on the prize. And let’s get this done.”

Prakash Javadekar, India’s Environment Minister, confirmed that the Indian Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) would be submitted to the UN by Friday, and said: “I believe Paris will be a success. We need to keep it simple. We must ensure annual reviews so there is no backsliding. India is committed to building a green economic future because this will help poverty eradication.”

Laurence Tubiana, the French Government’s Special Ambassador for the 2015 Paris Climate Conference, said: “Paris needs to be a turning point. We’re not there yet but I’ve seen a sea change compared to previous years, particularly with the mobilisation of business, cities and subnational governments. Many world leaders are also now calling for deep decarbonisation, sending positive signals and creating the conditions for success.”

Michael Bloomberg, former Mayor of New York City, and UN Special Envoy for Cities and Climate, made a keynote speech at the conference and announced plans for city-level mayors to come together with other leaders of states and regions to agree a ‘Compact of Compacts’ demonstrating leadership at the subnational level to build low carbon economies.

Bloomberg’s comments came on the back of an announcement by subnational leaders that set out carbon reduction targets of 7.9 GtCO2e by 2030, more than the US’ annual emissions.

Bloomberg said: “Cities, states and regions have considerable leeway to act on their own without the need for national government support. Today I am announcing a formal alliance between the Compact of Mayors and the Compact of States and Regions initiatives. No one should doubt the collective clout of subnational government. We need to change the rules that prevent them from investing in smart infrastructure.”

Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), said: “The extraordinary wealth and welter of climate action announced by governments, cities, investors and companies during Climate Week 2015 has been truly breathtaking. Underpinned by the moral imperative of His Holiness Pope Francis and the successful conclusion of a suite of Sustainable Development Goals, confidence is building towards Paris and a new universal climate agreement.”

President of the World Bank, Dr Jim Kim reiterated the collaboration that would be required to successfully address climate change and said: “The Paris climate change conference must demonstrate our collective commitment to getting the world on a path to zero carbon. Solving the challenges of climate change requires both public and private sector leadership. ”