Climate change presents the single biggest threat to sustainable development everywhere and its widespread, unprecedented impacts disproportionately burden the poorest and most vulnerable. 

Urgent action to halt climate change and deal with its impacts is integral to the successful implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Collectively, the three post-2015 agendas for action – the Paris Agreement, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction - provide the foundation for sustainable, low-carbon and resilient development under a changing climate. 

Achieving the primary goal of the Paris Agreement - to keep the average global temperature rise well below 2C degrees and as close as possible to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels - is vital to the achievement of all three Agendas.

The global average temperature has already increased by around one degree, since then underlining the urgency of action if we are to stay as close as possible to 1.5C degrees.

The Paris Agreement builds on the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, bringing all nations into a common cause to reduce greenhouse gas emissions rapidly and to strengthen the ability of countries to build resilience and adapt to the impacts of climate change, including through ensuring adequate support for developing countries. 

The early entry into force of the Paris Agreement reflects a political shift in focus to implementation, signalling to all levels of government, business and civil society that urgent climate action and sustainable development are common goals, providing a clear focus for policy, economic development and society.

Pursuing climate action and sustainable development in an integrated and coherent way offers the strongest approach to enable countries to achieve their objectives efficiently and quickly under the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.