70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly: High-level signature ceremony for the Paris Agreement
Bern, 22.04.2016 - Statement by Vice-President Doris Leuthard, Switzerland, New York, 22 April 2016
Mr. Secretary General, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Never before have we been so united when it comes to protecting the climate. All parties agree to limit the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C and aim to limit its increase to 1.5°C. We agree to strengthen our ability to deal with the effects of climate change and we agree that financial flows are consistently directed towards achieving low emission levels and climate resilient development.
The WEF Global Risk Report 2016 places the failure of climate change mitigation and adaptation on the top of the most impactful risks for the years to come. So signing this agreement is more than just a symbolic gesture. We are saying yes to a world that will gradually leave the fossil fuel era behind it.
Nous avons besoin d’une base solide, et avec l’accord de Paris et l’Agenda des SDGs, nous avons cette base. Avec les énergies renouvelables, plus de transport durable et plus d’efficacité énergétique, nous pouvons largement réduire les gaz à effet de serre. L’accord de Paris est un excellent fondement pour l’innovation et les nouvelles technologies, en direction d’une économie verte.
We can be successful
- if political and economic leaders focus on climate change when taking their decisions
- if we implement the agreement with effective measures
- if we give CO2 a price
- and if we accelerate global action to remove fossil fuel subsidies.
Switzerland has been applying a host of measures for many years now. Thanks to these measures, our emissions fell even with economic growth and a rising population. We will this year present the next steps and measures for 2030.
Mr. Secretary General, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
We don’t have to wait for the agreement’s ratification to start working at national level.
The first flight around the world in a solar airplane by the Swiss pioneers Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg is proof that we have the technologies and possibilities to make a change. By investing in CO2-friendly sectors we are creating jobs and promoting sustainable economic growth.
Let the negotiations now be followed by action. But today let’s celebrate !
Thank you.
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