The Manifesto 2018

The Paris Agreement came into force on 4 November 2016. The climate summits in Marrakech and Bonn have featured progress to advance in its implementation and designed the facilitative “Talanoa Dialogue” involving governments and civil society to take stock of the collective efforts done so far towards achieving the climate goals. Now is the time to showcase climate solutions and advocate for ambition in the policy debate. Moving for Climate Now would like to contribute to the Talanoa Dialogue with a proposal that addresses the three questions raised:

Where are we?


We have already warmed the planet by 1°C above pre-industrial levels and if the current rate continues we are expected to breach 1.5°C between 2030 and 2052, according to the IPCC Special Report on global warming of 1.5ºC. The scientific community agrees that human-induced global warming has already caused multiple observed changes in the climate system causing already impacts on natural and human systems. We already know that fighting climate change is a huge challenge. No generation in the history of mankind has ever faced such a global, complex and hard to solve problem. But it is also a huge opportunity, not only by avoiding the impact of climate change, but also because it brings economic stimulus, employment, lower air pollution and a better life today for future generations. Tackling climate change also contributes to many other Sustainable Development Goals.

It is also a serious ethical conflict that impacts mainly on the most disadvantaged sectors of the population and which is jeopardising the future of the coming generations. Besides, if we fail to take action, the irreversibility of the situation will mean that any future measures will be ineffective and much more expensive. We are the only and last generation that can actually do something prominent to halt climate change.

Where do we want to go?


All nations should preserve the multilateral consensus achieved in the Paris Agreement and advance collectively towards ambitious and inclusive global climate action, focusing on mitigation of climate change impacts and also on building climate adaptation and resiliency, especially in the most vulnerable regions and sectors.

By fighting climate change we undertake a cross-disciplinary effort that will help meet the rest of the Sustainable Development Goals and achieve well-being for all people.

The Katowice Climate Summit is going to be very important because now is the time to finalise key elements of the Paris Rulebook and address the outcomes of the Talanoa Dialogue to inform future climate action, considering also the findings and guidance of the IPCC special report on global warming of 1.5°C and the magnitude of the action required. Achieving 1.5°C goal requires about 45% reduction on 2010 emission levels by 2030 and reaching net zero around 2050. For a 2°C pathway emissions are projected to decline by about 20% by 2030 and reach net zero around 2075. Now it’s the time to speed-up the scale and pace of climate action globally. There is no time to waste.

How do we get there?


We ALL have to act: actors big and small or public and private; governments local or global; society in general… we ALL have to move ALL the levers of change (regulatory, technological, fiscal, financial, cultural, etc.) and we have to do it NOW. We have already done a lot of talking and now we have to urgently mobilise in every country and sector.

Those of us that have joined the Moving for Climate Now initiative come from various countries and organisations. It should not be strange to have different opinions about some aspects of the policies to be implemented. However, we are aware that given the seriousness of the situation, we have to concentrate on JOINING and MULTIPLYING forces to mobilise society all around the world and halt climate change. Debate should not delay action. Public administrations, NGOs, companies: society as a whole has to be mobilised. In this huge climate mobilisation, these points are very important and urgent:

  • We need all on board. All sectors of the economy need to define long term strategies and set clear objectives aligned with the Paris Agreement.
  • Energy, which is the main cause of the problem, should also be the main source of solutions with a model based on clean energies, sustainable mobility and energy efficiency.
  • Technological progress is on the side of climate. Clean energies (renewables, energy storage, mobility, etc.) are under a deep technological revolution that can spur competitive and cost-effective solutions to climate change.
  • The right policies and the right tools are needed now. Every minute counts. Public authorities should take advantage of all opportunities for action to implementing the Paris Agreement, including new regulations, economic and fiscal instruments, public procurement to boost companies that are more committed to climate, leading by example at their own facilities, education and awareness schemes, etc.
  • The transition needs to be fair. A successful low carbon pathway requires the participation of all stakeholders. Alliances and measures to tackle impacts on vulnerable groups will be crucial to leverage all the opportunities that involve an ambitious approach to climate action, without leaving anyone behind.
  • The financial system should mobilise the huge volume of economic resources needed to finance the transition towards a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy. Sustainable financing, mainly from private sector, will be key to tackle this challenge and, in particular, to achieve at least the annual $100 billion climate finance roadmap for 2020, set by the Paris Agreement.
  • The technological transition should be completed as soon as possible and mechanisms should be set up to transfer it to developing and vulnerable countries.
  • Companies should use their resources to help create a low-carbon, climate-friendly and resilient economy as soon as possible.
  • The general public and social organisations should implement the values and habits that are crucial to solve the current climatic crossroad we are at.
  • Greatest challenges cannot be tackled alone. To combat climate change we need to work together through public-private partnerships, multi-stakeholder or cross-sector alliances that share the same values because they optimise resources and improve outcomes.

The slogan for this initiative, Moving for Climate Now, sums up our message to society: Let’s ALL move, pulling ALL the levers RIGHT NOW.

We are pedalling as we say this because the bicycle is an example of good technology, beneficial for people’s health and well-being and also for the climate.