UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE CELEBRATES ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY
In 1992, countries joined the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,an international treaty, to collaboratively consider ways to limit average global temperature increases which is the cause for climate change. It celebrated its 20th anniversary on the 21st of March 2014 in Bonn. To mark the anniversary, the Secretary General to the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon expressed his views on Climate Change and Environmental Protection.
In his speech he mentioned that the “Convention has galvanized the world to seek multilateral solutions to the grave threat of climate change.” He emphasized on its Kyoto Protocol which established the world’s first greenhouse gas reduction treaty, with binding commitments for industrialized countries, and set the stage for the establishment of the world’s carbon markets.
He spoke extensively on variety of successful programmes that has being carried out in order to safeguard the environment. Among them he gave prominence to the work that has being done by the UNFCCC which he said “is a major catalyst in the growing developmental shift to clean technology, renewable energy, improved efficiency and adaptation.” At the same time, he emphasised on the greater ambition needed to match the scale of the global challenge posed by climate change. He explained in his speech that “the greenhouse gases are at their highest atmospheric concentration in 800,000 years and that all people are affected by it.” He further said that the poorest and most vulnerable people are the victims that unfortunately as to experience the growing effects of unpredictable and increasingly extreme weather patterns severely.
He appreciated the hard work of the UNFCCC and its parties who have created the infrastructure to spur a resilient, low-carbon global economy within two decades. He identified the new challenge is to use this machinery to tackle climate change and to deliver sustainable energy for all. He mentioned the importance of this collaborative effort to make the air in our cities fit to breathe, generate decent jobs and help eradicate extreme poverty. He also said that “these are all mutually reinforcing components of the post-2015 development agenda.”
The Secretary General pronounced that the Governments have agreed to reach a universal new climate agreement by 2015, which is a very progressive stance. It promises progressive developments and contributions in the field of Environmental Protection both locally and internationally. The Secretary General declared his support to them by convening a Climate Summit on the 23rd of September 2014, where he wishes to “mobilize political will and showcase action that can help to raise ambition levels worldwide. In his speech, he cordially invited all world leaders, along with senior representatives of civil society and the private sector, to work together for trans formative results.
The last few lines of his speech were very inspirational. He said that, “we know what we need to do, and how to do it. As we mark this anniversary, let us rediscover the commitment that brought the Convention to life. Let us work together for a meaningful climate agreement that will set the world on a sustainable path for generations to come.”
FAQs