7 June 2017: In a ‘Joint Statement on Commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement’ following President Trump’s announcement of US’ withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on climate change, scholars from Germany and the ‘rising powers of the South,’ including Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico and South Africa, expressed their commitment to the Paris Agreement and pledged to enhance joint knowledge creation on sustainable development.

The joint statement underscores the role of climate action in limiting global warming and in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including through the promotion of peace and human security. Noting that numerous subnational and non-state actors in the US have dissociated themselves from President Trump’s announcement and committed to intensify their climate-related work, the statement highlights that investments in climate change mitigation and adaptation are “essential for poverty reduction, sustainable growth and enduring prosperity.” [Joint Statement on Commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement] [SDG Knowledge Hub Story on US Withdrawal from Paris Agreement Mobilizing Governments, Stakeholders] [SDG Knowledge Hub Story on US Federal States, Cities Committing to Upholding Paris Agreement]

UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for sustained climate action to ensure a peaceful and sustainable future for all.

Speaking at New York University (NYU) Stern School of Business on 30 May 2017, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for sustained climate action to ensure a peaceful and sustainable future for all. Outlining a five-point plan for ambitious action on climate change, Guterres committed to: intensify high-level political engagement to “raise the bar on climate action;” rally the full capacity of the UN development system behind climate action and the 2030 Agenda, particularly at the country level; work with governments and actors, such as the coal, oil and gas industries, to accelerate energy transition; work with countries to mobilize national and international resources to support mitigation, adaptation, resilience and the implementation of their national climate action plans; and encourage new and strengthened partnerships for implementing the Paris Agreement through North-South, South-South and triangular cooperation.

Guterres also announced his intention to convene a climate summit in 2019 to ensure that “we reach the critical first review of Paris implementation with the strong wind of a green economy at our backs.” [UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s Climate Remarks at NYU Stern] [UN Press Release]

The Joint Statement on Commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement and UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s action plan contribute to implementation efforts under the 2030 Agenda, including Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 13 (climate action), 7 (affordable and clean energy), 1 (no poverty) and 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions).