By Prisca Sam-Duru
The need to limit earth’s temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius as recommended by scientists to avoid the worst impacts of climate change will be the focal point of the forthcoming “Leaders Summit on Climate”. To catalyze efforts that keep that 1.5-degree goal within reach is a key goal of both the Leaders Summit and United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26).
The Summit to be attended by forty world leaders including Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, on the invitation of US President, Joe Biden, will also “highlight examples of how enhanced climate ambition will create good paying jobs, advance innovative technologies, and help vulnerable countries adapt to climate impacts”.
Biden in his invitation had urged leaders to use the Summit as an opportunity to outline how their countries will also contribute to stronger climate ambition.
The world “Leaders Summit on Climate” will in essence underscore the urgency and the economic benefits of stronger climate action, and will be a key milestone on the road to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) come November in Glasgow.
The virtual “Leaders Summit on Climate” holding on April 22 and 23, will be live-streamed for public viewing.
Other highlights of the Summit include; “The economic benefits of climate action, with a strong emphasis on job creation, and the importance of ensuring all communities and workers benefit from the transition to a new clean energy economy; spurring transformational technologies that can help reduce emissions and adapt to climate change, while also creating enormous new economic opportunities and building the industries of the future.
Other highlights are showcasing of sub-national and non-state actors that are committed to green recovery and an equitable vision for limiting warming to 1.5 degree Celsius, working closely with national governments to advance ambition and resilience; discussing opportunities to strengthen capacity to protect lives and livelihoods from the impacts of climate change, address the global security challenges posed by climate change and the impact on readiness. It will also address the role of nature-based solutions in achieving net zero by 2050 goals.
During the Summit, the “United States will announce an ambitious 2030 emissions target as its new Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement.
“The Summit will reconvene the U.S-led Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate, which brings together 17 countries responsible for approximately 80 percent of global emissions and global GDP. The President also invited the heads of other countries that are demonstrating strong climate leadership, are especially vulnerable to climate impacts, or charting innovative pathways to a net-zero economy”
Also participating, are few business and civil society leaders.
