Reviving the spirit of the Paris Agreement

• #Climate Change
• #Science

• Share it:

“The measures to halt global warming are generally considered to be some of the most important civilisational challenges and a prerequisite for the implementation of the principles and objectives of sustainable development,” according to the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

In that scenario, Poland, that will hold the Presidency of the Climate Convention for the third time, aims to be an ambassador of the sustainable approach to climate change. Professor Jan Szyszko, its Minister of the Environment, will take the position of the President for the second time. “We would like to ensure that COP24 is a historic meeting of the representatives of the world which will adopt decisions ensuring the full implementation of the Paris Agreement,” as stressed by the Presidency.

Poland’s objective is to maintain the voluntary choice of the method for limiting emissions, as well as the shaping of climate and energy policies depending on the conditions in terms of raw materials and geography. “United Nations states must act together in order to halt the dangerous climate change. However, these efforts must be tailored to the capabilities of the individual countries. They should ensure a balance in commitments between states in a different condition and at different stages of development,” according to organisers.

The Presidency intends to promote climate neutrality based on carbon sequestration by forests and soils, according to scientific research on the concept of forest carbon farms that enhances the capacity of forests to absorb CO2 by planting appropriate tree species. “Forests occupy almost one-third of Poland’s territory. Due to this, we can achieve climate neutrality balancing the emission level with the quantity of CO2 absorbed by forests,” as highlighted by the Presidency.

With the goal of joining efforts to full implementation of the Paris Agreement, representatives from the UNESCO Chair in Life Cycle and Climate Change ESCI-UPF will be attending the COP24 as observers to closely follow Poland’s efforts on climate neutrality based on research.