UN Climate Change News, 3 September 2018 – Next week, business leaders, non-profits, citizens, and local government representatives will gather in San Francisco to demonstrate how they are taking climate ambition to the next level at the Global Climate Action Summit, 12-14 September.
The unprecedented opportunity for scalable action that will be evident at the Summit is not limited to those who attend in person, and actors throughout the world are called upon to help build momentum around this moment.
There are five key climate action challenges that will be addressed at the summit; and for each challenge, there are numerous solutions. Outlined below are the five climate action challenges and examples of practical solutions to each challenge that you can take:
Healthy energy systems can prevent dangerous effects from climate change. This can be achieved through a shift toward clean and equitable energy in addition to building a decarbonized energy and transportation system aligned with scientific evidence.
- Action you can take: Accelerate the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and make electric transport the new normal by 2030 by joining the EV100 initiative.
Inclusive economic growth requires climate leadership in business, clean technology; and an energy transition that fosters good jobs while spurring inclusive global economic development.
- Action you can take: Set science based climate and sustainability targets and build climate resilient supply chains and communities.
The sustainable communities challenge is an effort led by cities to create buildings, communities and infrastructure that are clean, healthy, and livable. Cities will encourage community driven climate projects, a transition to zero emissions buildings through the World Green Buildings Council, and progression towards zero waste.
- Action you can take: Transform communities through innovation around net zero emissions buildings, fossil fuel free streets, and waste reduction.
Land and ocean stewardship focuses on the role that forests, food, lands and other ecosystems must play in tackling climate change and making our world more resilient, while also ensuring sufficient food supplies for a growing population.
- Action you can take: Implementing climate friendly land use, conservation, and agriculture policies. The 30X30 Forests, Food and Land Challenge’s goal is to achieve 30% of climate solutions by 2030 through improved agricultural and land use practices.
Transformative climate investments will require the mobilization of investment on an unprecedented scale to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. Investors, considering their financial duties to clients and beneficiaries, are encouraged to act in one or more of the following four areas: investment, corporate engagement, investor disclosure, and policy advocacy.
- Action you can take: Commit to the use of green bonds for infrastructure investment and ask investors to invest in them. The Green Bond Pledge coordinated in part by Ceres is an initiative you can join.
Lastly, if you wish to inspire others who may wish to participate in the Global Climate Action Summit challenges, you can:
- Encourage your firm or community to find way to take part in one of the five key climate action challenges.
- Share these opportunities with your colleagues and business network so that they can also join the movement in raising global climate ambition.
- Follow the action on social media through the UNFCCC and the Global Climate Action Summit accounts
- Website UN Climate Change and Global Climate Action Summit
- UN Climate Change on Twitter: English @UNFCCC | Spanish: @CMNUCC
- GCAS Twitter: @GCAS2018
- Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change, Patricia Espinosa, on Twitter: @ PEspinosaC
- UN Climate Change on LinkedIn: UNFCCC
- UN Climate Change on Facebook: facebook.com/UNclimatechange
- UN Climate Change on Instagram: @UNFCCC