EU delegations and EU Member State Embassies all over the world join forces to emphasise the importance and benefit of climate action on the second Climate Diplomacy Day, 17 June 2015. This time, the sense of urgency is unmistakable as the decisive UN Climate Conference COP21 in Paris will take place later this year. To keep us on track to limit global temperature rise to below 2°C, the international community needs to secure a fair, ambitious and legally binding international agreement there. Not only will climate action allow mitigating risks to human livelihoods and to international security; it will also bring about significant economic and business opportunities. Timely investment in low carbon, climate resilient development can generate jobs and growth, and reduce the long term costs of lowering emissions and adapting to climate change impacts.
From interviews, roundtables and conferences to film screenings and bicycle tours – European diplomats will use innovative formats to highlight the positive action that is being taken around the globe. In Berlin, the German Federal Foreign Office, the British and the French embassies invite to a panel discussion and reception on how climate change concerns every one of us.
By following #ClimateDiploDay on Twitter, you will get the latest updates on Climate Diplomacy Day 2015 and the events taking place at about 50 locations worldwide.
The first Climate Diplomacy Day was carried out successfully by Germany, the UK and France on 9 September 2014, with parallel events taking place in over 30 countries. For more, watch this video.
Find more information on the European Climate Diplomacy Day here.
Ignoring cross border impacts of large infrastructure projects will spark conflict along rivers, argues Peter King. National level environmental impact assessments that ignore cross border impacts are likely to create conflict between countries.
Peat areas have played a pivotal role in conflicts globally, and have also been a point of contention during post-conflict recovery. Communities in Southeast Asia as well as in the countries of the Congo are facing challenges as finding political solutions for this problem.
Australia’s new prime minister will not walk away from the Paris climate agreement, although his new policies now make it unlikely the country will meet its emissions reduction goal. Ongoing trade talks with the EU could also hinge on how climate policy continues to develop.
On a visit at short notice to Germany, Russian President Vladimir Putin has met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to discuss a range of bilateral and international issues, including the conflicts in Syria and Ukraine, and the future of the controversial gas pipeline project Nord Stream 2. The pair met for the second time within just three months to talk about the project.