United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon is widely recognised for putting climate change at the top of the UN's agenda during his time at the organisation's helm. In a recent address to policymakers and stakeholders in Brussels, the South Korean official emphasised the importance of Europe's role in tackling global climate change, saying that it has "much to offer" when it comes to finding solutions to the intensifying problem.
"All of us at the United Nations recognise this is an overarching challenge with implications for our entire agenda. That is why we are trying to do so much, in so many places, in so many ways, not only to sound the alarm but to point the way towards solutions," he said.
"Europe has much to offer – from renewable energy to energy efficiency; from climate smart agriculture to integrated water resources management; from sustainable transport to cleaner cities. The world's 100 largest cities contribute nearly 70 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions, they therefore present prime opportunities for advancing green, sustainable growth," he explained.
"Europe has much to offer – from renewable energy to energy efficiency; from climate smart agriculture to integrated water resources management; from sustainable transport to cleaner cities"
He said that, according to some estimates, "floods alone could cost the world's cities $1 (€0.72) trillion annually by 2050." "Rising seas are just one manifestation of the growing impacts of climate change," explained Ban, citing the humanitarian crisis in the Sahel as just one example of the alternative effects of climate change. The latest estimates from the United Nations indicate that economic losses from natural disasters this century have amounted to $2.5 (€1.8) trillion, at least 50 per cent higher than previous estimates."
To tackle this, the former foreign minister said, "We need a meaningful, robust, universal, legal climate agreement by 2015. We need transformative collective action to reduce emissions rapidly enough to limit global temperature rise to two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and to strengthen resilience to the many climate impacts that are already occurring or are bound to happen. For many," he said, "This should be a question of simple economics."
He continued, "Climate change is both a risk and an opportunity. For example, by investing in energy efficiency, companies can reap considerable returns." Moreover, he said, "Europe's leadership is essential for the world. Last month, at the conclusion of the European council meeting, EU leaders affirmed that they would take a decision on an economy-wide emissions reduction target, as well as on renewables and energy efficiency, no later than October. I urge the EU to reach a decision on the package as soon as possible, preferably at the June 2014 council meeting."
He also urged the private sector to "take the climate challenge seriously", saying, "There is no profit to be gained from obstructing political progress, but there are great benefits for those who choose to be in the vanguard of climate action," he said, before calling on civil society to "continue advocating for higher ambition, immediate action and climate justice".