Hamshahri interview. I would say both no and yes.

Transcription

1 Hamshahri interview Yesterday marked the second year of Paris Agreement. Do you think the countries of the world, in cooperation with the United Nations, have been able to take the necessary steps in the past two years to tackle climate change? I would say both no and yes. No, because in objective terms, our climate change situation is getting worse. After three straight years of neither an increase nor decrease in the amount of carbon dioxide we dump into the atmosphere, this year we are again recording an increase. The world is already at 409 parts per million of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. When we reach 450 parts per million some say it will be game over. And yet, every day, we continue to spew 110 million tons of heat trapping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. If we continue to do this, we are likely to surpass the danger mark of a 2-degree Celsius global temperature increase. This level of warming is what the Paris Agreement says is a red line for our planet. The year 2016 was the hottest ever measured. Climate change will lead to food and water shortages as well as population movements which will drive disease and political instability. So, the danger signs are everywhere. But yes, because there are many reasons for optimism. Green energy. Renewable energy especially in solar and wind energy this is all growing exponentially. The cost of solar power has fallen by two-thirds in recent years. The capacity of photovoltaic battery power is increasing just as the cost of this technology is declining. So, a large part of the reason for the transition is because costs of renewable technology are falling dramatically. But, more than this, many important GHG emitters are making a conscious effort to shift to renewable energy. China, for example which is now the world s largest emitter of greenhouse gases (GHGs) is shifting at a fast pace away from coal and towards renewable energy. So is the world s second largest GHG emitter the United States. Businesses are also divesting from fossil fuels at a massive rate. For many businesses, especially in the developed countries (which still contribute disproportionately to GHG emission across the planet), there is an emphasis on

2 cutting emissions and switching to green energy. Oil is also becoming much more expensive to find, drill-for and refine. Sales of electric vehicles, although still small, are doubling in some countries every year. In many of the high-carbonfootprint countries, renewable energy sources are starting to take the lead as new sources of power. All this will make it easier for developing countries who have a legitimate right to grow their economies to leapfrog the old, heavy-carbon-emitting methods of production and consumption. All of this is great news! So, we have both plusses and minuses. What the world needs at the present time is new leadership, inspiring vision, political commitment, and many more partnerships especially with the business sector to rally round this generational struggle to cut carbon emissions. For, make no mistake about this, there is no greater challenge facing mankind today. Climate change is an existential threat. As regards the Paris Agreement specifically, I think this offers us a meaningful and flexible framework for all countries to move in the right direction. The Paris Agreement contains a much higher level of transparency and a stronger mutualaccountability system among countries. It holds governments accountable for their commitments. Under the agreement, countries have to report their greenhouse gas inventories. They must also report progress towards their emissions-reduction targets. This has to happen every two years. Countries have agreed to this transparency and accountability because acting on climate change is also in the national interest. Will the US withdraw from this agreement, as well as the denial of Global Warming by US President, Donald Tramp, have an impact on the decision of countries to tackle global warming and achieve the Paris deal? No, it doesn t. The Paris Agreement remains a historic treaty signed by 195 countries. Major GHG emitters such as China, France and Germany continue to demonstrate their strong commitment to the pact. Just look at the turnout in

3 Paris yesterday where world leaders gathered to reaffirm their support. Look at what President Macron of France had to say. The US decision to leave the Paris Agreement in no way brings an end to the unrelenting efforts being implemented by so many countries to combat climate change and to adapt to its harsh and increasing impact. But even in the US there is engagement from the private sector and state governments. Both sectors are persisting with their decarbonization agenda. I am proud to say that the UN is supporting this new visionary leadership from many world leaders. Our support work is already underway. Look at UNDP s technical assistance for countries including Iran to develop and implement their national targets, taking ambitious action on climate change. Look at UN Environment s leadership on the issue of climate change and the partnerships it is forging across the planet. Many other agencies are providing support at many, many levels. Sadly, the US is saying that it will no longer provide funding on climate change. And this is indeed a disappointment. However, climate finance platforms such as the Green Climate Fund and the Global Environment Facility will continue to operate and support countries that take action. We in the UN are encouraged and appreciative of countries that have already made their contributions and we encourage all countries to work together to ensure that adequate funding is available. How do you assess the situation in Iran based on this agreement and the steps taken in this regard? The Islamic Republic of Iran faces and will increasingly face particular challenges from climate change and significant environmental challenges such as shortages of water, land degradation, desertification, increased sand and dust storms and an alarming loss of biodiversity. In some areas such as the Hamouns, the shortage of water which is a result of man-made actions and the overall hotter drier situation which climate change brings has been so severe that it has forced people to migrate. In other regions

4 desertification has affected livelihoods and has caused severe sand and dust storms. We also need to recognize that the issue of climate change does not stop at borders. This is so notably the case in Iran. Regional and cross-border collaboration especially on the regulation of water will be crucial for a country like Iran both now and in the future. The Paris agreement will come into effect in The agreement calls on all countries, including Iran, to act to prevent average global temperatures rising above 2 degrees Celsius the red line I spoke of earlier. We need to stop global warming if we are to prevent eventual catastrophic impacts on human security. This includes the process whereby relentless global warming will undermine the world s and Iran s efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. To date, Iran has made promising commitment and action in this regard. Under the Paris Agreement, each country determines, plans and regularly reports its own contribution it should make in order to mitigate global warming. Iran has pledged to reduce its emissions by 4 per cent and a full 12 per cent if all sanctions are lifted within the agreed timeframe, which is by In line with this, Iran has submitted its climate action plan to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. In May 2017, Iran launched the National Strategic Plan on Climate Change. This plan aims to guide the country to adapt and mitigate the risks from climate change. The plan, which has been developed in line with the Kyoto Protocol on reducing GHG emissions, and also the Paris Agreement to combat climate change, will guide how Iran moves forward on sustainable and climate-friendly socioeconomic development. It is designed to curb greenhouse gas emissions, combat air pollution, boost energy efficiency and harness renewable energies effectively and efficiently. The plan also creates opportunities for fostering international cooperation and fulfilling the Paris climate accord as well as Iran s national goals. We in the UN are greatly encouraged by the efforts of Iran. We will continue to support the government and people of Iran in their efforts to combat climate change and support the Paris Agreement.

5 But there is so much more to be done. We cannot take our eyes off the prize. And this prize is huge. It is a world where climate change has been held at bay. A world where fossil fuels have lost their ability to shape world politics. And it is a world where what constitutes human happiness is no longer determined by an insatiable consumption of limited resources. We will get there. What will get us there is a greater sense of urgency, and a unified vision and the political commitment I spoke of earlier. We have the technology to do it. Both we across the planet. And we in Iran. The rest is up to us.