Bonn talks: Vulnerable countries urge nations to step up their climate targets

The Chair and lead representatives of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) urged countries to step up and revise their national climate plans without further delay. The announcement was made on the side-lines of the United Nations climate change negotiations currently underway in Bonn, Germany, ahead of the story telling, Talanoa Dialogue for increased climate ambition.
“Growing climate risks, economic and technological developments in low-carbon technology, as well as increased action by sub-national actors, make the national climate plans submitted by governments in 2015 outdated and requiring review,” said Dr. Ayela Anabo, Director General at the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of Ethiopia which chairs the CVF, “based on that, we expect the community of nations to catch up with the real economy and increase their national ambition.”
“We can all do more,” said Senator Loren Legarda of the Philippines. “1.5C is completely feasible, but it requires bold political will. All countries must internalise the urgency and start the process of revising their current national targets no later than January 2019 to secure survival and prosperity for all of us.”
The current commitments made by countries in 2015 lead to dangerous warming that can reach 3 or 4 degrees Celsius. The gap is wide with the 1.5C target set in Paris.
“We must act fast otherwise we will lose out in every sector and every country,” said William Calvo Chief Negotiator for Costa Rica. “Therefore, it is imperative that the Talanoa Dialogue should deliver a political outcome in COP24 that triggers a process for revision of national targets before 2020.”