26 September 2018: The Informal Leaders Dialogue on Climate Change called for accelerated action and increased ambition to meet the objectives of the Paris Agreement on climate change. The Dialogue took place on the margins of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) high-level debate and New York Climate Week.

In his remarks at the event, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described climate change as “the absolute priority” for the UN, stressing that climate action “makes moral sense…[and] business sense,” and is the keystone in efforts to achieve sustainable development that leaves no one behind. He recalled that a UN study found that Parties’ commitments under the Paris Agreement represent “one third of what is needed,” and called for “more ambition and accelerated action by 2020” to keep the global temperature increase as close to possible to 1.5°C above preindustrial levels. He underscored the need for strong leadership to take bold decisions to put the world’s economies and societies on a low-carbon, climate-resilient growth path.

Guterres will reach out to the G20 leaders to encourage them to enhance their ambition.

Guterres confirmed that he will convene a Climate Summit to mobilize climate action and finance in September 2019, one year before countries have to enhance their national climate pledges under the Paris Agreement. Guterres said he anticipates the Summit will offer leaders and partners a chance to “showcase their ambition,” accelerate action and demonstrate women’s participation and empowerment as “an effective tool to achieve solutions” that make societies truly inclusive. He informed he will reach out to the leaders of the Group of 20 (G20), which accounts for approximately 80 percent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, to encourage them to enhance their ambition. Guterres said France and Jamaica will co-chair an initiative to support a political process to “ensure that governments fulfill their pledge to mobilize US$100 billion a year by 2020 for climate action.” He concluded by urging countries to develop a robust framework to operationalize and implement the Paris Agreement at the forthcoming Katowice Climate Change Conference in Poland.

During the Dialogue, leaders reflected on how to increase ambition and accelerate climate action. Several participants emphasized the need to look at climate solutions based on nature, and ensure the health of the world’s biodiversity and oceans, stressing the importance of climate solutions that address and further the SDGs. Participants further urged examining the global food system to ensure it is not a driver of deforestation. UNFCCC Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa and President of Poland Andrzej Duda stressed the importance of implementing the Paris Agreement, and called on countries to ensure the success of the Katowice Climate Change Conference. [UN News Story] [UNFCCC News Story] [UN Secretary-General Statement] [UN Deputy Secretary-General Statement]