Participants at the INDC International Forum discussed the overall effect of countries' contributions to the new international climate agreement that is expected to be adopted at the Paris Climate Change Conference in November-December 2015.
They concluded that although the intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs) submitted by countries so far demonstrate their commitment to mitigate climate change, there is a need to continue to revisit and strengthen the global mitigation ambition.
13 October 2015: Participants at the INDC International Forum discussed the overall effect of countries’ contributions to the new international climate agreement that is expected to be adopted at the Paris Climate Change Conference in November-December 2015. They concluded that, although the intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs) submitted by countries so far demonstrate their commitment to mitigate climate change, there is a need to continue to revisit and strengthen the global mitigation ambition.
The INDC Forum took place from 12-13 October 2015, in Rabat, Morocco, and was organized by the European Commission (EC), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Government of Morocco. Speaking at the Forum, EU Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Cañete highlighted that although countries’ initial contributions will make a significant impact in address climate change, they are not enough to keep global warming below 2°C compared to pre-industrial levels. He called for a Paris agreement that includes, among other things, a long-term goal and a process for taking stock of progress and raising ambition.
Magdy Martínez-Solíman, Assistant Administrator and Director of the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support in New York, UNDP, stressed the opportunities that exist to address the challenges raised by the linkages between climate change and development, and noted the benefits of pursuing low-carbon development pathways. He further emphasized the importance of INDCs, noting they will “form the backbone of the Paris agreement.”
Noting that climate change is about development, health, security, water and people’s dignity, not just about the science, Hakima El Haite, Moroccan Minister Delegate in Charge of Environment Minister, commended countries for recognizing these needs in their INDCs.
The Forum concluded that the global climate agreement expected to be agreed in Paris at the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 21) to the UNFCCC should lay the foundation for continually reviewing and strengthening global climate ambition. [INDC Forum Website] [UNDP Press Release] [European Commission Press Release]