European Climate Diplomacy Day
In her message on this occasion, High Representative/Vice President Federica Mogherini said "Reducing greenhouse emissions calls for a truly global alliance. Governments will have to be mobilised, as much as grassroots. The EU Delegations – our embassies to the world – will use Climate diplomacy day to reach out to our partners, to the general public, to the business community, to civil society organisations."
Climate change is one of the major challenges of the 21st century, presenting risks to international prosperity and security. Securing international action in response is a key foreign policy challenge: "The increasing scarcity of natural resources is becoming a major source of conflict and instability. In today's wars, a dam is at times more strategic than an oil refinery. Floods and droughts can force entire populations to leave their homes and put their lives in the hands of human traffickers", the High Representative explained.
2015 is a decisive year for international climate negotiations. To keep us on track to limit global temperature rises to below 2°C, it is essential to secure a fair, ambitious and legally binding international agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at the 2015 Conference of Parties in Paris (COP21).
The European Union itself has taken a commitment to reduce by at least 40% its domestic greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 in comparison to 1990 and stands by its responsibilities in providing support on mitigation and adaptation to partner countries around the world.
The economic and business opportunities of a transition to a low carbon future are also significant: the sooner we act, the greater the benefit. Timely investment in low carbon, climate resilient development can generate jobs and growth, and reduce the long term costs of lowering emissions and adapting to climate change impacts.
"Climate change does not belong to a remote future. It is all around us. It affects us directly", Federica Mogherini added. "The EU feels the urgency of the moment. We are addressing the emergency all around the world, by helping the most vulnerable communities to adapt to climate change."
YOU can also do your part for the benefit of all present and future generations. It is our common responsibility and the message of European Climate Diplomacy Day.
The HRVP stressed that "Our best efforts are needed to make Paris successful. The time to act is now."
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