Leading the way on climate change

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will address this year’s UN climate conference, COP23 in Bonn, on Wednesday 15 November.

Following an unprecedented invitation from the UNFCCC Secretary she will speak at a High Level Plenary session of COP23 on behalf of states, regions and devolved governments around the world at the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action closing event.

The Marrakech Partnership is being driven by a group of High-Level Champions set up by the UNFCCC to support climate action by Parties and non-Party stakeholders and is aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement.

The First Minister will be joined on the panel by United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, the Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama (President of COP23), UN Climate Change Convention Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa and Mayor of host city Bonn Ashok-Alexander Sridharan.

The First Minister said:

“Scotland is absolutely committed to tackling climate change and our targets are the most ambitious in the UK.

“But it is not enough to just focus on domestic targets. That is why Scotland is also active in tackling climate change at a global level. We are signatories to the Under2 Coalition to reduce worldwide carbon emissions and are party to the Marrakech Partnership.

“International summits like COP23 are vital to tackle climate change and it is an honour to be asked to speak on behalf of the states, regions and devolved governments in the Partnership.”

Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change which is hosting the Bonn, COP23, conference said:

“Bonn 2017 needs to be the launch-pad towards the next, higher level of ambition needed to get the world on track to achieve the aims and ambitions of the Paris Agreement. I look forward to welcoming the First Minister here next week under the conference’s motto — Further, Faster, Together.”

Background

COP23 takes place 6-17 November in Bonn.

The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Climate Change Roseanna Cunningham will represent Scotland in events at COP23 on Sunday and Monday and will address the Sustainable Innovation Forum on Monday 13 November.