The 12-day talks started with a bang, with the welcome news that more than 100 countries have now ratified the Paris Agreement.
During the COP22 opening ceremony, Morocco’s Foreign Minister and newly-elected COP22 President Salaheddine Mezouar recognised the upsurge of global momentum in recent months, but acknowledged the fact that the Paris Agreement does not put the world on track towards the goal of a maximum global average temperature of 2C.
Mezouar said: “I would like to invite you over the coming 11 days to be more ambitious than ever in your commitments. All over the world, public opinion must perceive change. It has to be a change at all levels, from local projects through to those that cross international borders and it must create genuine win-win partnerships.”
With the focus of day one on ‘Africa in Action’, Mezouar highlighted the continent’s commitment to contribute to global efforts to tackle climate change. He emphasised the importance of helping all African countries fight climate change because the “sun does not ignore a village because its small”.
Along with Ségolène Royal, French Environment Minister and President of last year’s successful COP21 conference in Paris, Mezouar handed out solar lanterns to all delegates in the room, as a symbol of the transformation to clean technology which is essential to achieve the Paris Agreement goals.
In her opening address, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa said that, while early entry into force of the Paris Agreement is a cause for celebration, it is also a timely reminder of the high expectations that are now placed upon governments.
“Achieving the aims and ambitions of the Paris Agreement is not a given,” Espinosa said. “We have embarked on an effort to change the course of two centuries of carbon intensive development. The peaking of global emissions is urgent, as is attaining far more climate-resilient societies.”
Espinosa underlined several key areas in which work needs to be taken forward. She stated that finance must continue to allow developing continue to green their economies and build resilience, and that fully engaging non-party stakeholders including businesses are central to the global climate action agenda.
“Our work here in Marrakech must reflect our new reality. No politician or citizen, no business manager or investor can doubt that the transformation to a low-emission, resilient society and economy is the singular determination of the community of nations,” she said.
