Page 15 - Respond 2016 Magazine

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Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary, UN Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

COP22 this year in Marrakech will not just be a celebration of the
entry into force of the Paris Agreement in record time where the
first meeting of the CMA will be held. It will also be the first COP that
places implementation and action squarely at the centre of attention,
it will provide governments an opportunity to present a roadmap to
mobilize the 100 billion dollars in annual support by 2020, to increase
clarity for adaptation finance and for a mechanism to strengthen
capacity building.

We will see initiatives that support the implementation of
Nationally Determined Contributions and help integrate them into
each country’s development agenda alongside the Sustainable
Development Goals also adopted in 2015.

Marrakech is our opportunity to strengthen the partnerships that
accelerate the transition towards a low-emissions future and promote
sustainable development committed to by governments. Finance
and national policies are central elements to allow delivering on
these commitments.

Finance flows should all align with the long-term goal in the Paris
Agreement. Friends, we know that we must mobilize more than the
US$100 billion committed to and included in the Paris Agreement, we
need trillions to truly meet the climate challenge.

Yes, climate finance must flow and at a faster pace that it currently
does. But we must also look at energy subsidies, how markets price
carbon, the value of green investments and potential gains from
incentivizing nature-based solutions. Central banks, development
banks, funds and institutional investors need to be involved. Climate
considerations must be mainstreamed into our global financial
architecture.

At the same time, public policies have to incorporate climate change
goals and create an enabling environment for a global transformation
of economic and social development. It is not only about
environmental policy. Energy policy, economic policy, trade policy,
transportation policy and land use and resource management policy
should all work in a concerted, coherent manner to enable every
country to accomplish their Paris Agreement and SDG contribution.
Strong leadership at the national level is indispensable.

The Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement envision
a model of growth and development that is good for people and
good for the planet. This is an opportunity to improve the wellbeing
of billions. It is the opportunity to avoid instability and safeguard
the development gains achieved to date. It is an opportunity to end
extreme poverty, ensure adequate food and water, protect public
health, increase equity and empower through education.

It will require steadfast dedication and I am confident that all of you
here today are willing to take the next step. We have the mandate.
We have the momentum. Now is our moment. Let’s work together
to seize this great opportunity and turn our collective vision into our
collective reality.

This is an excerpt from a speech at Chatham House on 10 October.

Credit: UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe www.rtcc.org 13