Global climate effort put to the test at Internationalforum ahead of Paris Climate Summit

On 12-13 October, EU Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Cañete will co-host an international forum in Rabat, Morocco, to discuss the climate action plans proposed by countries ahead of the United Nations climate conference in Paris this December (COP21). The intended nationally determined contributions (INDC) submitted by countries are a key part of the preparations for the new global climate agreement in Paris. The INDC Forum, organised by the European Commission, the Moroccan government, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), will focus on the aggregate global effort in respect of the internationally agreed objective to keep global average temperature rise below 2°C. The forum will bring together around 200 participants, including Ministers, government officials, academic experts, private sector and civil society representatives from over 50 countries. Participants will also discuss policy responses to help put the world on track to limit dangerous climate change.The forum comes just before the last negotiating session before Paris (Bonn, 19-23 October) and the publication of the UN synthesis report on the INDCs (1 November). Commissioner Arias Cañete said: “Today, 146 countries representing almost 90% of global emissions have unveiled their climate pledges. Will this be enough to limit global temperature rise to below 2 degrees? This forum will be an opportunity to answer this question and find ways to accelerate the transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient economies worldwide. With just six weeks to go before we meet in Paris, this discussion comes at a crucial moment.” For more information, please see the INDC Forum website. A press conference with Commissioner Arias Cañete on Tuesday 13 October at 14:00 CET can be followed LIVE on Europe by Satellite.