President Piñera highlights Chile’s progress at international Climate Adaptation Summit: “It’s time to change the course of history; it’s time to act”
The Government has developed an agenda that includes replacing thermoelectric plants with clean and renewable energy sources and an ambitious commitment to reduce emissions and make Chile carbon neutral by 2050.
The President of Chile, Sebastián Piñera, highlighted Chile’s progress and commitment to protecting the environment at the international Climate Adaptation Summit 2021 on Monday.
“Every generation has its own challenges. But no generation has faced a challenge as urgent and formidable as climate change and global warming. This is the battle of our lives,” said the President in his address at an online event, which included the participation of the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel; the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson; the French President, Emmanuel Macron; the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi; and the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate of the Unites States, John Kerry, among other world leaders.
The event was focused on 4 key areas for addressing climate change: greater ambition in adaptation; development of tools and solutions; support for communities to address change and an Adaptation Action Agenda.
“Chile is fully committed to this effort. During our presidency of COP25 we’ve exerted pressure for adaptation to be acknowledged as a top priority in the global response to climate change,” the President explained.
The Adaptation Action Agenda was launched at the event, consisting of a complete and accessible, general description of the key ingredients for delivering a more climate-resilient world. This agenda is designed to bring together the global community of adaptation professionals, making it possible to follow-up on actions and reach joint solutions.
The event was organized based on the progress made at the United Nations Climate Action Summit and its goal was to maintain the momentum going forward to the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), to be held next November in Glasgow in the UK.
Chile currently holds the presidency of COP25 until November and has called on all countries to endorse new and ambitious commitments with respect to climate change. In addition, in the context of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), last year the Chilean Government presented an ambitious Adaptation Plan covering 11 economic sectors. “Today we are working to include adaptation in our Long-Term Climate Strategy, which we will present at COP26 in Glasgow,” the President explained.
The Government has also created a Climate Risk Map to implement new policies that address local needs, taking account of specific geographical, cultural and economic circumstances, and a Financial Strategy to promote environmental actions, investment plans and economic recovery.
“Science has spoken loud and clear and our citizens are demanding an urgent change in direction. Technology will give us the tools. It’s time to change the course of history; it’s time to act,” concluded the President.