Deputy Secretary-General, in Video Message, Applauds Climate Promise Champions, Calling Their Contributions Crucial to Global Efforts

Following is the text of UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s video message to the virtual side event “Ambition from the Frontlines — Recognizing Champions with the Climate Promise” at the twenty-sixth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, in Glasgow, United Kingdom, today:

I am pleased to address this event recognizing champions with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Climate Promise.  I am proud that the United Nations system is supporting these countries to increase their climate ambition.

The stakes could not be higher.  The climate alarm rings louder than ever.  The recent storms, droughts, forest fires and floods are a glimpse into our future, if we don’t act now.

For many countries, the 1.5°C goal is a matter of survival.  We must keep it within reach.  G20 [Group of 20] countries, representing 80 per cent of global emissions, must lead by example and reduce emissions by 45 per cent by 2030. 

And all developed countries must urgently deliver on their pledge to allocate $100 billion per year to fighting climate change in developing countries — half of it allocated to adaptation and resilience.

While attention is rightly on the G20 and the developed world, we must also recognize climate ambition champions who are not big emitters.  As demonstrated by UNDP’s Climate Promise, their contributions are an essential part of global climate efforts. 

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and their limited resources, some of the most vulnerable and lowest emitting countries are rising to the urgency of the moment and submitting ambitious nationally determined contributions [NDCs].

Many of these countries have also improved the quality of their NDCs.  Governments and other stakeholders are using this opportunity to plan investments, address the climate crisis and deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals.

I thank the donors and partners that support this crucial work.  I look forward to the continued collaboration with UNDP’s Climate Promise and to working together to implement these NDCs on the ground.  Let us leave Glasgow in the knowledge that developing countries are continuing to show leadership and stepping up to fulfil their climate goals.  Thank you.