BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 16. The implementation of climate action is lagging behind the required pace, the Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Simon Stiell said at the COP29 Parliamentary Meeting organized jointly by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and Azerbaijani Parliament, Trend reports.
“Parliaments serve as an important channel for citizens to express their views and ensure that they are reflected in government policies and actions. Fighting climate change is one of the most pressing and urgent issues for all people on the planet.
When your parties are in power, you can be leaders, initiating concrete steps that make a real difference in people's lives,” he said.
Stiell noted that the global community must move from incremental steps to decisive action in the fight to preserve the conditions of life on the planet. Recent reports have shown that climate action is lagging behind the necessary pace. The planet is projected to warm by 2.6 to 3.1 degrees Celsius - too far from the targeted 1.5 degrees needed to avoid the most dangerous consequences.
“The situation will only get worse if we do not reduce the gap between the current pace and the demands that science is making.
Some of this gap can be bridged by increasing ambition. We need more ambitious plans and policies that allow people to act with greater ambition. However, ambition alone is not enough; we need to close the ambition gap. Plans cannot stay on paper; they must lead to real change. Each country is obliged to strengthen its efforts,” he said.
To note, the Parliamentary Meeting started its work in Baku within COP29 under the joint organization of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and Azerbaijani Parliament. Sevil Mikayilova, the Vice President of the IPU from Azerbaijan and a member of the Azerbaijani parliament, is taking part in the event.
The two-day event will bring together 92 delegations from 66 countries and international organizations, up to 330 participants, 167 Members of Parliament led by 12 Speakers and Deputy Speakers.
Sessions at the Parliamentary Meeting will discuss the real impacts of climate change, the parliaments' role in making climate commitments a reality and raising mitigation ambition and implementing nationally determined contributions, unpacking the global climate finance architecture and mobilizing resources and streamlining access to climate finance, enhancing resilience in the face of climate change and scaling up adaptation and strengthening local empowerment. The final document will be adopted.
The event will also include several bilateral meetings.
Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel