The race to protect the planet is about to accelerate, as world leaders, business giants, and experts gather to attend the Climate Ambition Summit on Wednesday (20 September 2023).
Almost all indicators are off-track or heading in the wrong direction. Extreme weather events are displacing millions of people, the world is heating up, and out-of-control wildfires continue to cause death and destruction, from Canada to the Greek islands.
Coal, oil, and gas still account for 75 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, which continue to fuel the climate crisis.
While the damage from the climate crisis is already extensive, and global greenhouse gas emissions remain at record levels, change is possible.
There have been many climate meetings, but this one is unique as it will feature only the “first movers and doers” – those leaders who have responded to the Secretary-General’s call for accelerated action to tackle the climate crisis.
The list will include national and local governments as well as business leaders, financial institutions and representatives of civil society who come with credible, ambitious actions, plans and policies to show. As such, the Summit aims to champion solutions and inspire more leaders to step up and join the “first movers and doers.”