The Delivery Unit of the Office of the Prime Minister of Guinea has launched a study on financing irrigation schemes for farmers in the pineapple value chain.
Participants at the launch of the study. Photo credit: Le Bureau d’Exécution Stratégique du Premier Ministre de Guinée
Through the pilot initiative, the Delivery Unit will target several farmer cooperatives in Maférénya and Kindia regions, with the goal of increasing their farm yield (from 30 to +50 tons per hectare), farm level productivity, area of arable land per farmer and time saved from manual farm chores.
Also, availability of water on a regular basis due to the irrigation kits contribute to raising the quality of pineapple to international standards, thus creating new and additional market opportunities for farmers.
The Delivery Unit under the Office of the Prime Minister of Guinea aims to accelerate the implementation of Government flagship initiatives through the development and incubation of effective, sustainable, and results-oriented implementation and governance approaches. Pilot projects are focused on agriculture, mining and leadership development.
It also launched a study to set up an affordable Equipment Financing Scheme for pineapple producers to procure irrigation kits, working in partnership with financial institutions and equipment vendors. Current financial products are not aligned with farmers’ cash flow and income streams, making most equipment financing mechanisms unfit for agriculture lending. To increase access to irrigation equipment, farmers require financial products with flexible repayment terms that match their income.
Working with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Industry, the Delivery Unit will focus on developing the pineapple value chain by focusing on three priority interventions:
Land preparation: support land extension, preparation and irrigation in order to double land dedicated to pineapple production by 2020, from 400 to 800 hectares.
Access to fertilisers: improve access and use of fertilisers to increase productivity by 70% by 2020, from 30t/ha to 50t/ha.
Marketing: increase international exports to reach 2,500 tons/year by 2020.
“This financing mechanism for irrigation equipment is a tangible initiative towards economic development, enabling farmers to be empowered,” says a senior representative from a local commercial bank.
“This mechanism will enable the development of the pineapple industry through access to finance to achieve the objectives we have set for ourselves by 2020,” adds the President of the Federation of Fruit Growers in Basse Guinée.
The Delivery Unit launched a study to set up an affordable Equipment Financing Scheme for pineapple producers to procure irrigation kits, working in partnership with financial institutions and equipment vendors. Current financial products are not aligned with farmers’ cash flow and income streams, making most equipment financing mechanisms unfit for agriculture lending. To increase access to irrigation equipment, farmers require financial products with flexible repayment terms that match their income.
Key stakeholders from the public sector, private sector and civil society from Africa and beyond will meet next week in Cotonou, Benin, to take forward collaborative climate action for sustainable development in the region.
Abdoulaye Bio Tchane, Senior Minister in charge of Planning and Development, Benin
At the 9th Africa Carbon Forum (ACF) scheduled to hold from Wednesday, June 28 to Friday, June 30, 2017, participants will focus on how to strengthen cooperation between government and other stakeholders in key sectors for Africa – notably energy, agriculture and human settlements. This includes the role of future carbon markets in boosting climate action and sustainable development.
The meeting will include a high-level ministerial segment hosted by the Government of Benin, at which Ministers and high-level officials will discuss mobilising financial resources to tackle climate change. These resources are in particular required for strategies that African countries can adopt to implement their national climate action plans (“Nationally Determined Contributions” or “NDCs”).
“Now is the time for African countries to translate their national climate action plans under the Paris Climate Change Agreement into policies and implementable programmes at the national level,” said Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). “The Africa Carbon Forum can explore how existing emission reduction initiatives can be further strengthened in key sectors of African countries. It is also an opportunity to explore the role of future carbon markets to help countries in reaching the goals of the Paris Agreement.”
Abdoulaye Bio Tchane, Senior Minister in charge of Planning and Development from the Government of Benin, said: “Africa is the continent most affected by climate change. Two-thirds of Africans make their living off the land, consequently, it is critical that the continent secures a climate-resilient economic and development path. Hosting the Africa Carbon Forum demonstrates Benin’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and to the broader prosperity of the continent.”
The Africa Carbon Forum in Benin will include the discussion of:
Practical examples of policies, initiatives and actions in Africa;
Barriers and enabling measures for engaging climate action in key sectors;
Financial instruments and regulatory frameworks;
Advancing the implementation of climate action.
Over the past decade, the Africa Carbon Forum has provided a unique platform for Africans to engage on climate change issues in the region. The Forum brings together key stakeholders from the public sector and other non-Party actors from Africa and beyond.
It witnesses the participation of key multilateral and bilateral development institutions and experts to discuss urgent actions needed on the ground and share experience and build capacity for implementation of actions.
The ACF has been described as an opportunity for financiers, policymakers and project developers to share experiences, network and build capacity.
Five out of the world’s six largest listed oil companies risk wasting over 30% of their spending – with a total value of $2.3 trillion – on projects that are not aligned with goals of the Paris Agreement. They therefore need to reconsider investments in order to protect the interests of investors.
James Leaton, Carbon Tracker’s research director
This is the main conclusion of a new report by Carbon Tracker, entitled “2 Degrees of Separation”, compiled together with the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) and institutional investors.
The report is the first to rank the oil and gas industry company by company and identify where shareholders’ money could be most exposed as a result of the inevitable transition to low-carbon.
The central aim of the Paris Agreement is to limit the global average rise in temperature to as close as possible to 1.5 degrees Celsius, with 2 degrees the upper end of the scale.
The UN’s World Meteorological Organisation this week warned that the world is experiencing more frequent and earlier heatwaves, with many local heat records broken in May and in June of this year in North Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the United States.
The fact that the world is experiencing such weather extremes with only 1 degree Celsius warming in the climate system is a clarion call to leave the bulk of known fossil fuel reserves in the ground. For example, the one degree C warming translated into a regional June temperature anomaly of around plus 10 degrees Celsius in France this week. The burning of fossil fuels is responsible for most of the emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases that are causing dangerous climate change.
James Leaton, Carbon Tracker’s research director, said: “There are clear signs that oil demand could peak in the early 2020s – so companies need to start taking project options that would come onstream then off the table, and be transparent about how they are aligning with a low carbon future. Sticking with the growth at all costs scenario just doesn’t add up for shareholder value when the policy and technology momentum is heading in the opposite direction.”
The report finds companies are likely to perform better by aligning with a 2 degrees C world because lower cost projects have higher margins. The oil price would need to average $100 a barrel over the long term for it to be profitable for companies to pursue projects that are not aligned with a 2 degrees C world.
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has appointed Jayathma Wickramanayake of Sri Lanka as his next Envoy on Youth. She will succeed Ahmad Alhendawi of Jordan to whom the Secretary-General says he is grateful for his dedicated service in addressing the needs and rights of young people, bringing the work of the United Nations closer to them.
Jayathma Wickramanayake
The success of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development depends on empowering young people as rights-holders, agents of change and torch-bearers, says the UNSG.
Having represented and motivated global youth development on an international level since the age of 21 – notably during high-level United Nations initiatives including the declaration of World Youth Skills Day – Ms. Wickramanayake is also said to have played a key role in transforming the youth development sector at the national level, notably through the creation of a large movement for civic and political engagement of young people named “Hashtag Generation”.
Presently working as an officer of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service, Ms. Wickramanayake has previously served as Secretary to the Secretary-General of the Parliament of Sri Lanka (2016-2017), Project Officer – Youth, One-Text Initiative in Sri Lanka (2015-2016); Member and Youth Lead Negotiator, International Youth Task Force of the World Conference on Youth 2014 (2013-2014); and Official Youth Delegate to the United Nations, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development, Sri Lanka (2012-2013).
She was furthermore a Senator in the Sri Lankan Youth Parliament (2013-2015).
Born in 1990, Ms. Wickramanayake is reading for a Master of Development Studies at the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, and holds a bachelor degree in science, from the same university.
Researchers predict that in 2030, Lagos, Cairo and Kinshasa will each have to cater for over 20 million people, while Luanda, Dar es Salaam and Johannesburg will have crossed the 10 million mark. By 2035, close to 30 million people could live in Lagos alone, turning Nigeria’s commercial hub into the largest megacity on the continent.
Lagos, Nigeria
While Africa’s cities are growing rapidly in population, they are developing informally as current urban planning has proven to be ineffective, and private development is often deterred by opaque or inappropriate regulations.
When it comes to investments in infrastructure, industrial and commercial structures, and affordable formal housing, African cities have, until now, failed to keep pace with the concentration of people. In Dar es Salaam, 28% of residents live at least three to a room; in Abidjan, that number rises to 50%; And in Lagos, Nigeria, two out of three people dwell in slums.
The World Bank’s African Cities report has also found that in cities like Antananarivo, Madagascar; Brazzaville, the Republic of the Congo; and Harare, Zimbabwe, non-contiguous built-up areas are scattered throughout the centre, with more than 30% of land within five kilometres of the city centre still left unbuilt.
In Ghana, buying land has often proved difficult when people often try and sell land that may not even be theirs. Others even end up building on land thinking they own it; only to find out when they need a loan that the land is not theirs.
Tackling the problem with land registration, Benben is a digital land registry and transaction system that was designed to solve a number of the inefficiencies in land administration currently experienced in Ghana, aiming to promote investment and encourage transparent property management in the region in future.
“With the inevitable population growth, African cities have an exciting opportunity to embrace technology to leapfrog ahead of the world in terms of affordable services and smart cities. Through adopting innovative technologies such as blockchain and AI there is the potential to uplift millions of people into prosperity and the formal economy,” comments Daniel Bloch, Co-founder, BenBen.
Springing African cities from this low development trap, how else can governments and institutions begin to properly address Africa’s need for better urban infrastructure and affordable housing? Are developers involved in real estate development in Africa looking at the right solutions, using architectural and planning approaches that are more than just mere carbon copies of cities elsewhere in the world?
“The problem of rapid urbanisation is a wicked problem that requires developers and their professional teams to think more systemically. We still find too many examples of Western products, systems and technology been implemented in Africa that is not appropriate for our conditions. We need to ensure that whatever we implement has an Afrikan lens applied to it. We need to have empathy and place our people at the centre of everything we do. We call this Afrikan design innovation,” says Abbas Jamie, Director, Innovation and Transformation, Aurecon Africa.
Over the next 20 years, the rapid growth of Africa’s urban populations is expected to thrust new demand for infrastructure, housing and other physical structures, and amenities. To meet this new demand, city leaders and planners need adaptable strategies.
Providing a forum for experts, town planners, city municipalities and Africa’s largest real estate and built environment developers and investors to debate and craft a vision of what an African city should look like, the API Summit & Expo 2017Future Cities Africa sub-conference will look at how African governments and institutions can help formalise land markets, clarify property rights, and better leverage off land values to finance Africa’s urban development.
“As Africa faces a new reality, we must accept that the continent cannot move forward without proper discussions around the planning, infrastructure and urban development requirements of African cities in order for them to thrive and grow. New to the API Summit & Expo 2017, the Future Cities Africa sub-conference will take an in depth look into how African Cities can better open its doors to the world while creating more economically dense and inclusive urban areas,” says Kfir Rusin, Managing Director for API Events
Speaking at the conference, Daniel Bloch (Benben), Abbas Jamie (Aurecon), Dave Duke (Smec) and Somik Lall from the World Bank will assist in facilitating discussion topics such as:
The World Bank – African cities: opening doors to the world: boosting regional integration, cross border trade, exports and urban development.
Designing for density & overcoming the overcrowding issue – How can African cities become more economically dense – not merely crowded? Can flexible and inclusive urban planning be the solution? What new urban planning issues are being considered?
Defining the African smart city – The need for real assimilation of smart-orientated thinking into viable infrastructure, policy, master planning and delivery in Africa.
Case study – Harnessing the Blockchain to rejuvenate Africa’s land markets.
Case study – An African Urban Development Plan Revealed.
Looking into the future: the African city of tomorrow: How can we bridge the gap across the financial, political, technical and social spheres to collaborate in developing new thinking and solutions that address inclusive urban transformation?
“In order for African cities to bridge the economic, socio-political gaps they currently face, we need to pay special focus on how we can create sustainable, connected cities. Without them, Africa’s growth and development will remain sluggish, and uncertain. The answers to these key issues will not only help to develop Africa’s future cities, but will ultimately have a positive influence on the growth of the real estate market for the rest of the continent,” Rusin concludes.
The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), representatives of the Owan and Okomu communities and a host of civil society groups have urged the Dr. Godwin Obaseki administration in Edo State to uphold a revocation Order on 13,750 hectares of land expropriated by Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc in the rich forest reserves.
Okomu Oil Company Plc
In a letter delivered to Dr. Obaseki after a protest march tagged “Peoples March Against Land-grabbing and Deforestation in Edo State” following Okomu Oil Company’s defiance of the revocation order, the groups and the global environment movement said the current administration owes the community people the duty of enforcing the order.
Under former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, the sale of the lands in contention covering an estimated 13,750 hectares spread through Okomu forests reserve to Owan forest reserve were reversed. Till date, Okomu Oil Company Plc has reportedly disregarded the Edo State Government order.
The company is alleged to have militarised the communities and embarked on continuous bulldozing of the forests for expansion of large scale oil plantation.
“In the process, over 60,000 rural farmers in the farming communities have been displaced and a host of communities impacted. Some of the communities are Okomu Village, Agbede, Ik camp, Makilolo, Lemo, Oweike, Avbiosi, Sobe, Uhiere, Owan, Ugbebezi, Oke-Ora, Ekpan, Oke, Atorunu, Ogbetu, Umokpe, Orhua, Ozalla, Sabogida Ora, Odiguete, Agudezi, Uhunmora, Uzeba and Odighi,” the ERA/FoEN disclosed in a statement made available to EnviroNews on Wednesday, June 21, 2017.
The ERA/FoEN Executive Director, Dr. Godwin Uyi Ojo, was quoated in the statement as saying: “The defiance of Okomu Oil Company Plc to the revocation order is only typical of what multinationals in the landgrab business do. We anticipate the current administration will not fold its hands and watch.”
Dr. Ojo explained that the plight of the affected communities is further aggravated by the poverty that Okomu Oil’s unrelenting bulldozing has inflicted on their only source of sustenance, even as he pointed out that, “in the quest for industrial development, the local communities have become casualties”.
“This development is totally unacceptable and that is why we ask the Obaseki administration to act with the speed that this issue demands. Okomu Oil Company Plc is in the breach of the law and should not be allowed to go scot-free,” Ojo insists, even as he lists the community’s demands to include:
Okomu Oil Palm Company PLC obey the Edo State Government revocation order of 13,750 hectares of de-reserved land in Owan and Okomu forest reserves.
Support family farming and local food systems, not destructive industrial agricultural models.
Stop Deforestation and Land grabbing for Large-scale Oil palm plantation expansion by Okomu Oil Palm Company PLC.
Trading our forests for industrial oil palm plantations business is a dangerous eco-business that has devastating negative social and environmental impacts.
Prioritise public good over private interest.
No due process or EIA certificate for Okomu Oil Palm Company PLC.
Communities are the best custodians of forests and nature, Community forest management method is the answer to food deficit.
Parts of Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and the United States of America have seen extremely high May and June temperatures, with a number of records broken. The heatwaves are unusually early and are occurring as the Earth experiences another exceptionally warm year.
Heatwaves: Holiday makers cool off by a pool in the Netherlands
Only 2016 saw higher global temperatures due to a combination of a very powerful El Niño event, which has a warming impact, and long-term climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions. So far in 2017 there has been no El Niño event.
Climate change scenarios predict that heatwaves will become more intense, more frequent and longer. It is also expected that the number of hot days will continue to rise.
Europe
The Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD), which acts as WMO’s Regional Climate Centre for Europe’s Node on Climate Monitoring, has issued a Climate Watch Advisory valid until at least Sunday, June 25, 2017. It states that a period with significantly above-normal temperatures and heat waves is expected for most parts of western Mediterranean (from Portugal to western Balkans).
National meteorological and hydrological services are issuing regular forecasts, heat-health advice, as well as information on air quality, UV levels and wildfire risk.
The heatwave originated as a result of very hot air moving up from the Sahara to the Iberian Peninsula and parts of the Mediterranean.
Iberian Peninsula
Extremely high temperatures of around 40°C contributed to the severity of the disastrous wildfire in Portugal which has claimed dozens of lives.
An amber alert for heat – the second highest warning level – continued to be in place in the area on Tuesday, June 20.
The Portuguese national meteorological service, IPMA, said that over the weekend, when the fire broke out, more than one third of its weather stations measured temperatures over 40°C. The meteorological service said that for 20 June, 5 municipalities are at maximum fire risk and 58 at very high risk.
Spain
Spring 2017 (from March 1 to May 31, 2017) has been extremely warm, with an average temperature of 15.4 ° C, which is 1.7 ° C above the average of this term (reference period 1981-2010). It has been the warmest spring since 1965, having exceeded by 0.06 ° C the previous highest value, which corresponded to the spring of 2011. It has therefore been also the warmest spring since the beginning of the 21st century.
The marked contrast observed between the maximum temperature anomalies, which were on average 2.5 º C above the normal value of the term, and those of the minimum temperatures, which were only 0.9 ºC higher than the normal ones.
May was extremely warm, with a temperature that surpassed the normal value by 2.4 ° C. As of June, the average temperature is well above normal values.
A number of places broke temperature records for June for both maximum daytime temperatures and minimum overnight ones.
These include Granada airport, 41.5°C, Madrid Retiro 40.3°C and Madrid airport 40.1°C on 17 June. The peak if the minimum temperatures was on the 19th June, when Salamanca and Zamora had record overnight temperatures of 22.1°C and 23.7°C.
AEMET also reported extreme fire hazard for parts of the country on 20 June.
France
Fifty-one departments in France have an amber alert for high temperatures on June 20, according to Meteo France. Temperatures for Monday included 38°C for Bordeaux, 36°C forLimoges, 34°C for Mulhouse and 33°C for Paris, Toulouse, Brest and Lille, according to Meteo France.
A number of stations broke June records, including Cuers at 37.6°C and Toulon 35.3°C. Records for minimum night-time temperatures were also beaten (25.1°C in Montpellier, 25°C in Marseille) on Friday, June 16.
Many other parts of Europe, including the United Kingdom, also witnessed above average temperatures into the low to mid 30°s.
USA
Near record to record heat has been reported in the desert southwest USA and into California, with highs near 120°F (49°C) in places. More than 29 million Californians were under an excessive heat warning or advisory at the weekend. The US National Weather Service has warned that dangerous heat will continue through at least Friday, June 23 in Nevada, Arizona, parts of California and Las Vegas.
Phoenix recorded 118°C (47.8°C) on June 19. In the 11,059 days since the start of record keeping, 118°C heat has only been recorded 15 times. A number of flights to Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport were reportedly cancelled because it was too hot to fly.
Death Valley National Park, California, issued warnings to visitors to expect high temperatures of 100°F to over 120°F (38°C to over 49°C). Death Valley holds the world record for the highest temperature, 56.7°C recorded in 1913.
North Africa, Middle East and Asia
The temperature in United Arab Emirates topped 50°C on May 17, with 50.5°C in Mezaira.
In the centre of Iran’s Kuzestan province in the south-east of the country, neighboring Iraq, temperatures reached 50°C on June 15.
The heatwave in Morocco peaked on May 17, when there was a new reported record of 42.9°C Larach Station in northern Morocco.
The high June temperatures follow above average temperatures in parts of the world at the end of May. The town of Turbat in southwestern Pakistan reported a temperature of 54°C. WMO will set up an international committee of experts to verify the temperature and assess whether it equals a reported 54°C temperature recorded in Kuwait last July.
The Republic of Moldova on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 deposited its instrument of ratification of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
Igor Dodon, President of Moldova
Consequent upon this development, Moldova has emerged the 149th country to endorse the global treaty.
According to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Moldova’s ratification of the pact will enter into force in a month’s time on Thursday, July 20, 2017.
The Paris Agreement builds upon the Convention (UNFCCC) and – for the first time – brings all nations into a common cause to undertake ambitious efforts to combat climate change and adapt to its effects, with enhanced support to assist developing countries to do so. As such, it charts a new course in the global climate effort.
The Paris Agreement’s central aim is to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Additionally, the agreement aims to strengthen the ability of countries to deal with the impacts of climate change. To reach these ambitious goals, appropriate financial flows, a new technology framework and an enhanced capacity building framework will be put in place, thus supporting action by developing countries and the most vulnerable countries, in line with their own national objectives. The Agreement also provides for enhanced transparency of action and support through a more robust transparency framework.
The Governments of El Salvador, Latvia and the Republic of Moldova on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 deposited their instruments of ratification, thereby becoming the 61st, 62nd and 63rd future Parties to the Minamata Convention.
Salvador Sánchez Cerén, President of El Salvador
Just a day earlier on Monday, June 19, the Government of Czech Republic and the Government of Sri Lanka also ratified the Convention, becoming its 59th and 60th Parties.
These triple and double ratification sessions follow that of France, which deposited its instrument of ratification on Thursday, June 15 and becoming the 58th Party to the Convention.
Prior to this, nations such as Austria (Monday, June 12), Niger (Friday, June 9), Finland (Thursday, June 1), Slokavia (Wednesday, May 31) and St Kitts and Nevis (Wednesday, May 24) had ratified the Convention.
The Minamata Convention has already entered into force, thanks to the landmark rash of ratifications on Thursday, May 18, 2017 that triggered the Convention on Mercury into force, having garnered the required 50 ratifications.
On that day, the EU and seven of its member States – Bulgaria, Denmark, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Romania and Sweden – deposited their instruments of ratification at the UN Headquarters in New York, bringing to 51 that day the number of future Parties.
As a result, on August 16 2017, the Convention, which aims at protecting human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds, will become legally binding for all its Parties.
The 1st Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention (COP1) will gather governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations from around the world in Geneva from September 24 to 29, 2017.
The Minamata Convention is said to be the first new global Convention on environment and health adopted for close to a decade. It addresses the entire life cycle of mercury, considered by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as one of the top 10 chemicals of major health concern, which threatens the environment and health of millions.
Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC),Patricia Espinosa, said on Tuesday, June 29, 2017 at the Austrian World Summit themed: “From Sustainable Goals to Real Action”, organised by the group R20 Regions of Climate Action, that it is the collective responsibility of society to make every man, woman and child an action hero or champion. The R20 Regions of Climate Action is chaired by Arnold Schwarzenegger, former Governor of California, who initiated the Austrian World Summit, designed to be an annual meeting for “sustainable development action heroes” to showcase sustainability success stories and to enable more climate action projects.
Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Patricia Espinosa, speaking at the Austrian World Summit
The first Austrian World Summit opens at a crucial moment for the future of humanity.
We have in our hands all the elements needed for meeting the climate change challenge, transforming reality and opening the door to a secure and stable future for all.
In moments of great change, we have seen over and over again great people rising to lead this change. Now is truly a moment for these “action heroes” and champions.
People from all walks of life, and in all countries and on all continents, must carry the flag for sustainable development and action on climate change. Every level of society, every community and every sector of every economy must be involved.
Austria, in convening this inaugural World Summit, is declaring itself an action hero – thank you Chancellor Kern and President Van der Bellen.
Arnold Schwarzenegger is another action hero not just for his work in film and as Governor of California, but for his establishment of R20 and highly visible advocacy.
He is joined by UN Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change Michael Bloomberg and Jerry Brown, the current governor of the State of California, and who has been designated by the Prime Minister of Fiji, in his role as President of COP 23, as special envoy for states and regions for this years’ climate change conference.
Actor Leonardo DiCaprio, whose foundation is funding renewable energy projects in many R20 members, is also a hero. As are the scientists who help us understand the challenge, the public and private sector leaders that have recently reiterated support for the principles of Paris and every individual who makes a climate-conscious choice.
And when we mention these remarkable people and institutions, we also must look no further than the DSG Amina J Mohamed and her tireless work to realise the Sustainable Development Goals and now to implement them.
This immense and important task is supported by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who himself champions the fact that “implementing the 2030 Agenda goes hand-in-glove with limiting global temperature rise and increasing climate resilience” and sees action on climate change as a tremendous opportunity.
Our UN organisation, the climate change secretariat, recognises those who are making a difference through the Momentum for Change initiative, which awards people and organisations doing incredible things.
From the million women initiative of Australia to Dar Si Hmad, a women-led NGO in Morocco that harvests water from fog in the drylands, real heroes are making a difference where it counts the most – in the real world.
There are many others in this room today and everywhere in our planet like the children in the beautiful film – and if you are not, I am glad you are here because we need you too!
It is our collective responsibility to make every man, woman and child an action hero or champion, because the challenges we face are sobering. But the possibilities for a better world are enormous, and we need everyone on board.
The urgent need for action is apparent as we watch the world change around us – temperatures are soaring to record highs, sea ice is near record lows, the Great Barrier Reef is bleaching, and the Larson C ice shelf in Antarctica is breaking off.
At the same moment, the world is waking up to the fact that climate and sustainability action reduces risk, builds resilience and opens opportunity.
The OECD ‘Investing in Climate, Investing in Growth’ report says that “bringing together the growth and climate agendas” could add one percent to economic output in G20 countries by 2021 – that is less than five years.
And avoiding climate change impacts such as coastal flooding or storm damage could increase global GDP by nearly five percent by 2050.
This moment of recognition that a healthy planet is required for a healthy economy is marked by an unprecedented surge of support for the Paris Agreement and Agenda for Sustainable Development. We must seize this moment!
Governments are looking to the international climate talks to spark transformative change. The Paris Climate Change Agreement has now been ratified by 148 nations. We are now in the era of implementation.
In Bonn in November, nations – led by the Government of Fiji and supported by the Government of Germany – will be working quickly and cooperatively to make the Paris Agreement fully operational.
In 2018, we expect a complete set of enabling frameworks for the agreement and a first look at progress towards our climate goals.
Yes, this process has had some setbacks. Yet all nations remain engaged and committed to changing the way the world accomplishes growth and development.
But this is only part of the story. We know that nations alone cannot meet the climate change and sustainable development challenge – policy will point the way, but meeting the challenge we face requires real action by all.
In this moment, champions are leading action in key sectors – energy, transportation, finance and business. Regional governments and cities are acting because of the benefits they can deliver to their citizens.
The UN climate process recognises the role of subnational governments, and all non-state actors, through the Marrakesh Partnership. We are right now discussing how to better reflect these crucial contributions in the global climate talks.
And the breadth of this action, led by R20, and also alliances like the Under2Coaliton or the Climate Group or the Global Covenant of Mayors – and so many more – is breathtaking.
The fact that so many cities, territories, states and regions are – along with business and investors – aligning with the aims and ambitions of the Paris Climate Change Agreement is unprecedented in respect to a UN agreement.
We need similar alignment behind not just SDG Goal 13 on climate change – but behind all the Sustainable Development Goals and at ever higher levels of action and ambition.
This is how we must define implementation. This is the change we must champion.
In doing so, we can truly open trillions in economic opportunity – 12 trillion or more by some estimates. And we can do so while lifting people out of poverty, promoting public health, ensuring access to food, water and energy and protecting the planet we all share and rely on.
This summit will showcase inspiring examples of action, but I can already tell you that more is needed. We must work tirelessly and together to seize this moment.
We must make climate and sustainability action just “the way business is done now”.
In this moment, no investment, project or development should advance unless it is in line with the Paris Agreement and Agenda for Sustainable Development.
If it is not, there must be compelling and overwhelming reasons why not – not the other way round.
This is a true test for action heroes in governments and in champions in city, state and regional governments, as well as in regional development banks, civil society, academia and across the private sector.
This is the opportunity for all leaders at all levels to help turn climate commitments and aspirational sustainability goals into real action and truly transform our reality.
Together, we can realise the vision laid out in 2015 – in Paris, in New York, in Sendai and in Addis Ababa.
We must be champions for change and deliver a world that is stable and secure, where opportunity is open to all and peace and prosperity flourish.
