COP presidents urge Nigeria, others to strengthen climate ambition alliance

Towards ensuring a successful United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, the President of the conference, Mr. Alok Sharma, and the President of the UN Climate Change Conference COP25 in Madrid in 2019, Ms. Carolina Schmidt of Chile, are calling on all countries to either follow through on commitments made under the Climate Ambition Alliance, or join the efforts of the alliance.

The alliance brings together Nigeria and countries, businesses, investors, cities and regions which are working towards achieving net-zero Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions by 2050, as well as countries committed to updating their national climate action plans under the Paris Agreement – Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

Alluding to the analysis of national climate action plans submitted in 2020 and compiled by the UN Climate Change secretariat, the COP Presidents.

“The leadership from governments and non-state actors starts our pathway to net zero. But it is not enough (…) We are currently a long way off what science tells us is needed over the course of this decade. Together we need to go further and faster to ensure that we build a healthier and more sustainable future, one which respects the natural systems that underpin our existence and delivers dignity for all of humanity.”

Through the alliance launched in 2019, over 120 governments joined together, committing to come forward with plans to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 and to submit more ambitious NDCs. This means countries covering around 70per cent of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) made net-zero commitments.

Country engagement in the alliance is led by the governments of Chile and United Kingdom, with support from United Nations Climate Change and UNDP. Mobilisation of non-government actors is led by the High-Level Climate Champions for Climate Action Nigel Topping and Gonzalo Muñoz under the ‘Race to Zero’ campaign.

Beyond governments, over 3,000 organisations have joined the Race to Zero campaign led by the High-Level Champions. Last week, the UN-led Race to Zero campaign strengthened and clarified criteria that outline the minimum standard for initiatives of businesses, investors, cities, regions and universities for robust and credible net-zero commitments.

UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, Patricia Espinosa, endorsed the call by the COP Presidents, saying: “2021 will be the most important year for the international response to climate change since the inception of the UN framework convention on climate change. All efforts during the year will culminate at COP26, which must be a success. More countries joining the alliance and following through on existing commitments, backed by new commitments made under the Race to Zero campaign, will provide crucial impetus to put the world on a pathway to a safer and healthier future.”

Sharma and Schmidt are asking governments to inform them of their plans for raising ambition to cut greenhouse gas emissions and identify key opportunities to collaborate ahead of COP26. They said: Regional climate weeks in 2021 will provide opportunities for information exchange and peer learning on national and sectoral approaches to delivering net-zero emissions.

They also demanded for a high-level regional climate week events in August and September to showcase and recognise the leadership of members of the Climate Ambition Alliance; and sectoral and technical-level dialogues, including under the Marrakech Partnership, to support national planning exercises.