The Paris climate summit must result in “concrete” actions to reduce emissions and not just good intentions for future work.
The U.N Development Programme (UNDP) said the world must seize the “once in a lifetime opportunity” to protect all people, especially the world’s poorest countries which “must be at the centre of negotiations.”
“The poor and the marginalized in our societies are the most vulnerable to climate change, and are also the ones hardest hit by its impacts,” said UNDP administrator Helen Clark.
“We must seize this once-in-a-generation opportunity for an ambitious climate agreement in Paris and chart a new course for sustainable development which benefits everyone and protects our planet. UNDP is committed to supporting climate action post Paris.”
Over the last year, UNDP said it has been working with countries to prepare and declare their intended climate targets and goals. It added that having directly supported a total of 43 countries to finalise plans, it is aiming to extend this support beyond Paris into the critical “era of implementation.”
UNDP, with a US$ 2.3 billion portfolio across 140 countries, is the U.N’s largest implementer of climate change programmes at the country level, and remains a strong advocate for global measures that protect all people, especially the most vulnerable.
Image: PM David Cameron is in Paris for talks (Conservative Party)
COP21: Poor countries a ‘priority’
Calls for 'concrete actions' to support vulnerable countries by leaders
By EBS