"The most ambitious contributions from countries should be communicated in 2020, and I remind you that 2020 begins within exactly 20 days. A year in which we have also committed to communicate long-term strategies consistent with the objective of climate neutrality in 2050" , stressed the minister. Ribera has explained that at this summit "it is not necessary to communicate new contributions officially, but we must be convincing in how we will communicate more ambition in 2020, each according to its capacity. More ambition in mitigation, in building resilience, or in capacity to adaptation to the effects of climate change. "
In that sense, he pointed out that "the results of this week should praise the motto chosen for this summit: it is time to act." The message is clear, it is blunt. We will not lower our guard. We are committed to the climate agenda, with multilateralism. We are committed to responding to the profound implications of this agenda in development, in equity, in economic progress, in security, in well-being. "
The minister stressed that "it is not worth looking the other way, or hiding. We must all be climate activists. We need more action, more actors, and do more in less time."
"It is not enough that this Conference, traditionally focused on setting important rules for common action, stays in this phase. It has to take a step forward, they ask us for action, we have to understand how to realize the call of youth action and of the world, which demands clarity and forcefulness, "he said.
Ribera has referred to the data offered a few days ago by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), which indicated that humanity has lost ten years in the fight against climate change. And then, he pointed out the "hopeful and challenging" data offered by the intergovernmental group of climate change experts (IPCC): we are on time. "We have ten years left to avoid the climate catastrophe," he said.
Ambition that puts people in the center
In reference to the objective of Paris Agreement, of not exceeding a warming of 1.5 degrees and ensuring a goal of climate neutrality as soon as possible, the minister said that "in Europe we hope to achieve it by 2050, building a new model based on inclusion and equity. We want to highlight that at the center of our proposal should be the people, their concerns, their future, their willingness to participate in decisions that will have consequences for their lives and those of their children. "
"The social dimension of the climate agenda is fundamental. There can be no decarbonization policies without thinking about resilience, without thinking about people. The demand to work in climate justice between countries, between generations, but also within our present generation In workers, women or girls, vulnerable consumers living in settlements, people in fragile areas who do not want to be excluded, who do not want to be left behind, "he said.
Spain, climate neutral in 2050
Ministry for Ecological TransitionFor Ribera, the steps taken by many countries and private actors in terms of climate are important. However, recalling the words of the Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres, at the start of this summit, he pointed out that it is "important that the big economies move." "There are those who are called to do more. It is not tolerable or back down or remain silent," he said.
The acting Minister of Ecological Transition recalled that, by 2020, countries also have to present their long-term decarbonization strategies and, at this point, has pointed out that "Spain wants to be climate neutral in 2050 and avoid the emission of a of every 3 current tons before 2030 ". That year, following the planning of the Government of Spain, 42% of the final energy will be renewable in Spain and there will be an improvement in our efficiency in consumption exceeding 39%.
"We propose it as a Green New Deal based on Science and social demands, thinking of prosperity, innovation, employment, health, education, innovation, cooperation within and outside our borders," he explained.
Biodiversity Defense
Ribera stressed that the Chilean Presidency of COP25 wants this to be a blue COP, referring to the relationship of climate and ocean, "source of life, wealth, energy." "We have a unique opportunity in this COP to make visible the synergies and mutual benefits that the integration of biodiversity, climate and blue economy policies can have. A space to work together on something that will be a fundamental axis of community action international in 2020, "he said, referring to the next conference of the parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, which will be held in Beijing (China) next year.
Climate change, he said, has an impact on our vital resources. In the case of Spain, with a transition climate, water is "particularly sensitive," Ribera said. To respond to this new reality, it is necessary – in his opinion – "preserve, care, save, be efficient and reuse."
"Spain looks at the sea," said Ribera, who recalled that the country already has marine protected areas that cover 12% of its waters and will continue working to reach 30% in 2030.