Stepping Up Our Climate Game

Climate action: how do we overcome the challenges? Climate change science is no longer up for serious debate, and the Paris Agreement has given us a way forward for global climate policy. But now what? How do we get real, lasting wins? The opening Auckland Conversations event for 2017 tackles climate change action: how do we fully realise New Zealand's commitments? How are cities leading the way in climate change adaptation and innovation globally? And what crucial steps must be taken? Recent research from C40 Cities (link is external) and Arup, Deadline 2020 (link is external), puts the heat on, demonstrating that while cities can lift us 40% of the way toward our Paris Agreement ambitions, more ambition over the next four years is critical to get us on the safe climate path. Reducing carbon emissions produces exceptional and well-documented health, economic and environmental co-benefits – and the link between protecting the climate and protecting our most vulnerable people is clearer than ever. So, what stands in our way? Now is the time for businesses, governments, citizens, organisations and cities to double down efforts to mainstream climate action and to boldly commit to overcoming challenges.