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| 2019 United Nations Climate Action Summit | |
|---|---|
| Name | 2019 United Nations Climate Action Summit |
| Caption | Summit logo |
| Date | 23 September 2019 |
| Location | United Nations Headquarters, New York City |
| Organiser | United Nations, United Nations Secretary-General |
| Participants | Heads of state, heads of government, business leaders, civil society |
2019 United Nations Climate Action Summit The 2019 United Nations Climate Action Summit convened at United Nations Headquarters in New York City on 23 September 2019 to catalyze enhanced ambition under the Paris Agreement and accelerate implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Convened by António Guterres, the summit sought to mobilize action by Member States of the United Nations, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, financial institutions such as the World Bank, and non-state actors including Amazon (company), Microsoft, and environmental organizations.
The summit was framed by scientific assessments from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and political milestones such as the Paris Agreement adoption and the 2015 Paris Conference. Rising public mobilizations including the global climate strikes led by Greta Thunberg, Fridays for Future, and Extinction Rebellion increased political pressure on leaders from United States, China, India, European Union, and Small Island Developing States. Reports from the United Nations Environment Programme and the International Energy Agency highlighted emissions trajectories, while legal actions such as cases before the European Court of Human Rights and national courts influenced national policy debates.
The summit's stated objective—framed by António Guterres—was to mobilize enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement and to secure commitments on mitigation, adaptation, finance, and loss and damage. The agenda included plenaries hosted by United Nations Secretary-General, sectoral roundtables with representatives from World Bank Group, International Monetary Fund, United Nations Development Programme, and pledging events for initiatives like renewable energy transitions involving International Renewable Energy Agency and reforestation proposals connected to REDD+. The summit featured sessions on carbon pricing with participation from European Commission, technology initiatives involving Bill Gates-linked ventures, and transport decarbonization dialogues referencing International Civil Aviation Organization and International Maritime Organization.
Attendees included heads of state from France, Germany, United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, and leaders of Small Island Developing States such as Marshall Islands and Maldives, along with representatives from China and India. Notable speakers included António Guterres, Greta Thunberg, Emmanuel Macron, Ursula von der Leyen, Boris Johnson, Justin Trudeau, and CEOs from Amazon (company), Microsoft, BlackRock, and IKEA. Scientific voices included chairs and authors from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and officials from World Meteorological Organization, while civil society representation came from Sierra Club, Greenpeace International, 350.org, and indigenous leaders from regions such as Amazon rainforest and Arctic communities.
The summit produced a variety of pledges: countries and entities announced net-zero targets, renewable energy accelerations, and forest protection deals. Several European states and the United Kingdom reiterated carbon neutrality commitments, while corporations like Microsoft pledged procurement and carbon removal programs. Private finance announcements involved BlackRock-related initiatives and mobilization from multilateral development banks including the World Bank and European Investment Bank. Commitments also addressed deforestation involving partnerships with Brazil-linked actors and conservation commitments referencing Convention on Biological Diversity stakeholders and REDD+ mechanisms.
The summit occurred amid large demonstrations including the global climate strikes led by Greta Thunberg and Fridays for Future, mass mobilizations organized by Extinction Rebellion and Sunrise Movement, and actions by labor groups allied with Greenpeace International and 350.org. Youth delegates, indigenous representatives from Amazon rainforest nations, and NGOs staged side events at venues such as Columbia University and Ford Foundation centers, amplifying demands for ambitious Paris Agreement implementation and climate justice claims related to Loss and damage and rights recognized by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Outcomes included a catalog of national commitments, private sector pledges, and sectoral initiatives captured by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and tracked via mechanisms linked to the Paris Agreement transparency framework. Follow-up involved calls for strengthened Nationally Determined Contributions by the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC and integration with the UN Climate Action Summit 2020-era processes, engagement with financial regulators like the Financial Stability Board, and incorporation of scientific guidance from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change into policymaking at forums including the G20 and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Reactions ranged from praise by organizations such as United Nations Environment Programme for mobilizing pledges to critiques by activists and scholars from institutions like Harvard University and Oxford University who argued announcements lacked binding enforcement and adequate finance for Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries. Commentators from outlets tied to The New York Times, The Guardian, and BBC News highlighted gaps between rhetoric and required emissions pathways indicated by IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 °C. Legal scholars referenced litigation trends in national courts and international tribunals seeking stronger obligations, while some business leaders signaled market transitions through commitments announced at the summit.
Category:United Nations conferences Category:2019 in the environment Category:Climate change policy