12 Years Left: Don’t Waste This One!

As ECO went to press, no text had been released on the outcome of the Talanoa Dialogue or consideration of the IPCC Special Report on 1.5°C. ECO heard that Parties attending the Semjik were equally concerned about this lack of text.

For the duration of this conference, ECO has been writing the same headline – 12 years left: What have you done to respond to the SR1.5? Today is your last day.

It is not only ECO that is making this call to respond to the SR1.5 report and increase emission cuts. Yesterday, the Pacific SIDS raised the alarm about the currently insufficient global effort to limit warming to 1.5°C. They too called for the world to take dramatic steps to cut emissions and enhance NDCs, as well as for all OECD countries to phase out their coal use by 2030 and globally by 2040. We have also seen the return of the High Ambition Coalition, with these countries committing to enhance their NDCs, develop mid-century emission development strategies and increase near-term action.

In the hours that remain in Katowice, Parties must respond to the SR1.5 by agreeing to strengthen their NDCs and launch domestic processes to enable that increase in ambition. This commitment must be reflected in a COP decision. The UN SG Summit will be a critical moment to announce the results of this effort. However ECO will see you all first in Bonn in June and ECO expects to hear detailed updates on your progress. We are at a pivotal moment in human history. There is not a second to waste.