UN Secretary-General Praises Climate Action Plan Response
The action plans of 147 countries will be the basis of the agreement expected to be reached at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, known as COP21, to be held in Paris in December.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Oct. 1 welcomed the submission of national climate action plans by 147 countries, which combined account for more than 85 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. He called the response a "positive first step" toward achieving a universal climate change agreement this December.
The action plans will be the basis of the agreement expected to be reached at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, known as COP21, to be held in Paris that month. In a statement, Ban's spokesperson said the submission of the plans at the Oct. 1 milestone provides a solid foundation for a universal, meaningful agreement.
"The Secretary-General welcomes these as a positive first step," said the statement. "He calls on countries to include provisions in a Paris agreement that will enable them to regularly review and strengthen the ambition level of their national commitments in line with science. A Paris agreement must be a turning point and send a loud and clear signal to citizens and the private sector that the transformation of the global economy is inevitable, beneficial, and already under way."