12 December 2020 -
09:00 ET / 14:00 GMT
Co-convened by
the United Nations,
the United Kingdom
and France
In partnership with
Chile and Italy
Co-convened by
the United Nations,
the United Kingdom
and France
In partnership with
Chile and Italy
The United Nations, United Kingdom and France are proud to be co-hosting the Climate Ambition Summit 2020, in partnership with Chile and Italy. This is a monumental step on the road to the UK-hosted COP26 next November in Glasgow.
We are bringing leaders together who are ready to make new commitments to tackle climate change and deliver on the Paris Agreement, five years since it was adopted on December 12, 2015.
Leaders across government, business and civil society will gather for this online summit as the world deals with coronavirus. But the science is as urgent as ever and tells us that we need to limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5C degrees. We know climate change will not wait. Action must be taken now, together, for our planet, so we can build back better.
At the Climate Ambition Summit 2020, countries will set out new and ambitious commitments under the three pillars of the Paris Agreement: mitigation, adaptation and finance commitments. There will be no space for general statements.
These ambitious commitments will take the shape of new Nationally Determined Contributions, Long-Term Strategies setting out a pathway to net zero emissions; climate finance commitments to support the most vulnerable; and ambitious adaptation plans and underlying policies. These commitments will help to build towards a green and resilient recovery from COVID-19.
The impacts of climate change are felt across all of society. The Summit will provide a meaningful platform for civil society, young people and Indigenous Peoples representatives, many of whom disproportionately experience the impacts of climate change. Climate change must also be tackled by entire systems and we therefore also want to provide a platform for businesses, cities and other non-state actors who are rallying together and collaborating to support governments and accelerate the systemic change required to reduce emissions and build resilience.
12 December 2020 marks the five year anniversary of the adoption of the landmark Paris Agreement at COP21, under the French Presidency. The Agreement brings all signatories together to undertake ambitious efforts to combat climate change and adapt to its effects, with enhanced support to assist developing countries to do so. It charts a new course to accelerate global climate action. It recognises the need to adapt to existing and ongoing climate-caused changes and undertakes to assist the most vulnerable to take action. It also aims to align finance flows with a global pathway to achieving these two objectives.
Further information on key aspects of the Agreement can be found here.
The UK will host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), with its partner Italy in Glasgow on 1-12 November 2021.
The COP26 summit will bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The COP26 Presidency will demonstrate the urgency and the opportunities of the journey towards a zero carbon economy and the power of international cooperation to address the gravest challenges the world faces.
The UK is committed to working with all countries and joining forces with civil society, business and people on the frontline of climate change to inspire climate action as we head towards this vital moment. We will champion inclusivity throughout our COP Presidency and use our position to empower and amplify the voices of those whose views are often most marginalised, addressing their needs and priorities in the run up, and at the COP itself.
Virtual event and video production: TheVirtual.Show
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