ABU DHABI: On the occasion of World Environment Day, held annually on 5 June, Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, spoke at the Bonn Climate Change Conference, advocating for urgent global actions to combat climate change with a particular focus on conserving and restoring nature. As the world gathered in Bonn, Germany, Al Mubarak emphasised the critical need for an equitable, net-zero, resilient, and nature-positive future, underpinned by the ambitious UAE Consensus adopted last year at COP28 in Dubai.
This year’s conference, held from 3rd to 13th June, marks a crucial preparatory stage between COP28 and the upcoming COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. It serves as an essential platform for negotiations within the UNFCCC’s two subsidiary bodies – the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation. These discussions are pivotal as they set the agenda for later COP meetings and are instrumental in shaping the outcomes of glob
al climate policies.
During her keynote at the flagship event “Dialogue on multilevel partnerships for enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions” co-hosted with Nigar Arparadai, the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP29, Al Mubarak highlighted the progress made since COP28. ‘The UAE Consensus is a testament to our global commitment to nature, featuring significant pledges to end deforestation, restore natural habitats, and integrate biodiversity considerations into climate actions alongside goals to triple renewable energy by 2030 and accelerate efforts to reach net-zero emissions by 2050,’ she stated.
The 2030 Climate Solutions, a comprehensive roadmap developed by the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action, was introduced by Al Mubarak. This document, a unification of several initiatives, sets forth goals in eight key areas such as protection and restoration of natural habitats, land use, water management, alongside traditional energy and industry sectors. ‘Implementing the 2030 Clim
ate Solutions decisively will not only reduce greenhouse gas levels but will also safeguard and enhance our natural world, creating resilient ecosystems that are vital for mitigating the impacts of climate change,’ Ms. Al Mubarak explained.
Reflecting on the strategic role of natural solutions in combating climate change, Al Mubarak urged for enhanced governance to expedite the leadership of cities, states, and regions in embedding nature-based solutions within their climate action plans. ‘A vast majority of effective climate solutions can be found in our management of natural resources. By enhancing natural governance, we can substantially accelerate our progress towards a sustainable future,’ she noted.
Al Mubarak’s address in Bonn is part of her ongoing efforts to galvanise global action towards the goals established by the Paris Agreement and reinforced by the UAE Consensus. Her leadership continues to inspire both state and non-state actors, including regions, cities, private sector representatives, an
d civic organisations, to collaborate towards a sustainable and inclusive environmental future.
The Bonn Conference is unique as it facilitates the only in-person interaction outside the COP meetings, allowing for direct dialogue and partnership building among a diverse group of stakeholders. As we approach COP29, the insights and commitments forged in Bonn are expected to play a decisive role in shaping the future of global climate action.
Source: Emirates News Agency