Event – Global Climate Action Summit

The Global Climate Action Summit will take place from 12-14 September, 2018 at Moscone Center South in San Francisco, California. The Summit challenges people, communities, societies and economies around the world to ‘step up’ and take ambition to the next level across five key issue areas: Healthy Energy Systems, Inclusive Economic Growth, Sustainable Communities, Land and Ocean Stewardship and Transformative Climate Investments (for more information on these five areas see below)

WHAT IS BEING DONE

The decarbonization of the global economy is in sight. Transformational
changes are happening across the world and across all sectors as a
result of technological innovation, new and creative policies and
political will at all levels. States and regions, cities, businesses and investors are leading the charge on pushing down global emissions by 2020, setting the stage to reach net zero emissions by midcentury.​​

The Summit will showcase the actions that have taken already to reduce their emissions; secure bold commitments to do even more, show that decarbonization; job generation and resilient economic growth go hand in-hand and galvanize a global movement for climate action that leaves no one behind.

This is a moment to celebrate the
extraordinary achievements of states, regions, cities, companies,
investors and citizens with respect to climate action. It will also be a
launchpad for deeper worldwide commitments and accelerated action from
countries—supported by all sectors of society—that can put the globe on
track to prevent dangerous climate change and realize the historic Paris
Agreement. 

NEW EFFORTS

Participants will not only share what they have achieved to date,  they will also
commit to doing more to usher in the era of decarbonization, greater
levels of sustainability and prosperity for the many rather than the
few.

These actors will celebrate a range of new
climate commitments under five key areas: Healthy Energy Systems,
Inclusive Economic Growth, Sustainable Communities, Land Stewardship and
Transformative Climate Investments.

The Global Climate Action Summit looks to the future as it is happening midway between Paris 2015 and 2020. It is timed to provide the confidence to help governments to ‘step up’ and trigger this next level of ambition sooner rather than later.

NEED FOR URGENT ACTION

The momentum generated this year must lead to bending the curve of emissions down by 2020—science advises us that this is gives the world the best opportunity to prevent the worst effects of climate change. 2018 therefore must be the beginning of a new phase of action and ambition on climate change.

The Summit will underscore the urgency of the threat of climate change by mobilizing the voices and experience of real people, in real communities already facing real and stark threats. It will challenge and channel the energy and idealism of people everywhere to step up and overcome it.

The confidence, enthusiasm and support generated by this wave of action now and through 2019, will embolden national governments leaders to trigger the necessary domestic processes ahead of 2020 while also triggering more states and regions, cities, businesses and investors to ‘step up’ further action themselves.

FIVE KEY ISSUE AREAS

The Healthy Energy Systems challenge focuses on the global clean energy revolution that is decarbonizing energy and transport systems and enabling healthy people and places.

The Inclusive Economic Growth challenge focuses on business climate leadership, and how bringing everyone on board can generate good jobs, spur global development, and leave no one behind.

The Sustainable Communities challenge focuses on sustainable buildings, cities, communities and infrastructure that are clean, healthy and livable, and improve quality of life for all.

The Land and Ocean Stewardship challenge focuses on acknowledging the role that forests, food, lands and other ecosystems must play in mitigating climate change and making our world more resilient, while also ensuring sufficient food supplies for a growing population. The 30X30 Forests, Food and Land Challenge calls on businesses, states, city and local governments, and global citizens to unite and take action for better forest and habitat conservation, food production and consumption practices, and land use to deliver up to 30% of the climate solutions necessary by 2030 to tackle the climate crisis. Learn more and get involved at ClimateLandChallenge.org.

The Transformative Climate Investments challenge focuses on mobilizing investment on an unprecedented scale, to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, to spur innovation, and to accelerate a clean and resilient economy.

WHO WILL ATTEND

The Global Climate Action Summit will bring leaders and people together from around the world. At the Summit, international and local leaders from
states, regions, cities, businesses, investors and civil society—known
as “non-party stakeholders/non-state actors”—will be joined by national
government leaders, scientists, students, nonprofits and others in a new
wave of mobilization. These critical
agents can not only help unleash the opportunities from climate
action but they can also catalyze the world’s Presidents and Prime Ministers to go
further and faster too.

PARTICIPATING IN THE SUMMIT

People everywhere are encouraged to participate in the hundreds of affiliate events
taking place in the San Francisco Bay Area and throughout the world
during the week of September 10-14th, including climate action panels,
workshops, tours, exhibits and other special events. The full affiliate
event schedule will be posted here this summer.

You can virtually attend the Summit by streaming
it live on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. In person, Summit attendance
for the plenary and other high-level sessions is by invitation and will
require accreditation.