MARRAKESH, Morocco: A group of the countries most at risk from climate change said they would strive to make their energy production 100 percent renewable “as rapidly as possible,” as part of efforts to limit global warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), which numbers 48 nations, also committed to update their climate action plans submitted as part of the UN climate pact agreed in Paris last year and prepare low-carbon development strategies for mid-century, both before 2020.
But they emphasised they would need additional funding for more ambitious steps to reduce emissions and protect their people from extreme weather and rising seas.
“Today’s commitment by the member countries of the Climate Vulnerable Forum to move toward powering their economies entirely with renewable energy is a bold vision that sets the pace for the world’s efforts to implement the Paris Agreement and move even more quickly to solve the climate crisis,” former US Vice President Al Gore said in a statement.
Mattlan Zackhras, minister in assistance to the president of the Marshall Islands, said his Pacific island country was “pioneering” the transformation toward 100 percent renewable energy and wanted other countries to follow.
Saleemul Huq, director of the Dhaka-based International Center for Climate Change and Development, said the CVF had played a key role in ensuring the Paris climate accord included a goal to strive for a global warming limit of 1.5 degrees, alongside a promise to keep temperature rise “well below” 2 degrees above pre-industrial times.
The Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), which numbers 48 nations, also committed to update their climate action plans submitted as part of the UN climate pact agreed in Paris last year and prepare low-carbon development strategies for mid-century, both before 2020.
But they emphasised they would need additional funding for more ambitious steps to reduce emissions and protect their people from extreme weather and rising seas.
“Today’s commitment by the member countries of the Climate Vulnerable Forum to move toward powering their economies entirely with renewable energy is a bold vision that sets the pace for the world’s efforts to implement the Paris Agreement and move even more quickly to solve the climate crisis,” former US Vice President Al Gore said in a statement.
Mattlan Zackhras, minister in assistance to the president of the Marshall Islands, said his Pacific island country was “pioneering” the transformation toward 100 percent renewable energy and wanted other countries to follow.
Saleemul Huq, director of the Dhaka-based International Center for Climate Change and Development, said the CVF had played a key role in ensuring the Paris climate accord included a goal to strive for a global warming limit of 1.5 degrees, alongside a promise to keep temperature rise “well below” 2 degrees above pre-industrial times.
