UN Hears Caribbean Climate Concerns

The Climate Action Summit is among several Summits and High-Level meetings being hosted during the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly from 17-30 September 2019.

The theme for the Summit is ‘Climate Action Summit 2019: A Race We Can Win. A Race We Must Win.’ Member States and corporations are being challenged to increase their efforts in the areas of energy transition, climate finance and carbon pricing, industry transition, nature-based solutions, cities and local action, and resilience.

 

On 21 September, young people will add their voices to the discussion at the Youth Climate Summit, a meeting preceding the Climate Action Summit. This historic Youth Climate Summit will showcase the successes of youth activists, local change makers, innovators and entrepreneurs, and empower the next generation of leaders to take action. It will also feature an intergenerational dialogue, and is expected to lead to concrete initiatives for action.

 

UN Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the OECS, Mr. Didier Trebucq, had this to say about the Summit.

 

“Collective action can have an incredible impact on our climate today. By joining together to address the climate emergency through everyday actions, we can show world leaders that we want bold and urgent climate policy!”

 

The Summit will further the cause which has been addressed at various levels. The Global Climate Action Summit (GCAS), the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 73), the 24th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 24) to the UNFCCC, and the Global Conference on Strengthening Synergies between the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, among others.

 

In preparation for the Summit, a High Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development was hosted in July. Among the messages coming out of the HLPF was that achieving all other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will be more challenging if urgent climate action is not taken.

 

The Caribbean is especially vulnerable to climate change and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is therefore eager to have several issues addressed at the Summit. Among them are concern that climate change, natural disaster, biodiversity and environmental degradation, coupled with economic and social shocks will render development in CARICOM Member states unsustainable; progress on addressing the priorities of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) through the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway; the need for dedicated resources to support climate mitigation and address the permanent damage and losses the Caribbean faces as a result of climate change.

 

The progress made at this and all other UN General Assembly gatherings will support the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

 

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the 17 goals presented by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 and the goals are as follows. No poverty; zero hunger; good health and well-being; quality education; gender equality; clean water and sanitation; affordable and clean energy; decent work and economic growth; industry, innovation and infrastructure; reduced inequalities; sustainable cities and communities; responsible consumption and production; climate action; life below water; life on land; peace, justice and strong institutions; partnerships for the goals.