Climate Summit: COP23

The central aim of the COP23 External link, opens in new window., which will bring together over 20,000 people from nearly 200 nations, will be to join forces to bolster the implementation of the Paris Agreement External link, opens in new window. on climate change and pursue efforts to limit the global temperature rise by the end of this century between 2 and 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. This temperature limit is the frontier set by the scientific community to mitigate the adverse effects of global warming. To achieve this target, the signatory nations have committed themselves to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and will redouble their efforts in the upcoming Bonn conference to develop guidelines on how to implement essential matters such as transparency, financing, adaptation and technology.

SEE INFOGRAPHIC: Paris Agreement [PDF] External link, opens in new window.

Summit results

After the signature of the Paris Agreement, the COP22 held in Marrakesh was the kickstart for its implementation and for the approval of a collaboration framework with non-state agents. The COP23 held in Bonn, was perfect to work on the definition of the collaboration framework and the design of the rules for the assessment of progress and climate action challenges.

The technological advances and political statements and initiatives presented will allow us to face the next COP24 with optimism. Here we sum up the results of the climate summit, based on five positive elements:

• Political leaders continue to support the Paris Agreement.
• The civil society and companies continue to encourage setting the focus on climate action with an ambitious approach.
• Considerable progress has been made in the work program to implement the Paris Agreement, structuring a diagnosis with the actions and future presentation of new climate change solutions by companies and governments.
• Very important achievements have been made in the agenda during the Fiji Chair (vulnerability, resilience, gender, etc.).
• A response has been given to the need to speed up the pace of the actions before 2020, with a pre-2020 Action Plan that analyses the distance to the objectives and brings up specific proposals for improvement.

Before the actual COP23, the Fijian city of Nadi hosted the Pre-COP on October 17th and 18th: a series of closed-door sessions for political leaders and key advisors where attendees shared their views on the key points regarding the upcoming Conference of the Parties.

Iberdrola's support to the COP23

With the aim of progressing in the attainment of its environmental objectives, Iberdrola participated in the COP23, showing its leadership in the fight against climate change, goal no. 13 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The company is actively engaged in these Goals of the Global Compact, which were already included in its business strategy and Policy on Management and Protection of Nature.

The Chairman of Iberdrola, Ignacio Galán, visited the Summit and participated in the panel discussion "Attracting investments to support the implementation of national contributions and increase the level of ambition". During his speech, he asked companies in all sectors of the economy to take firm action to combat climate change and increase their commitment to clean energies: "The time to talk has passed. Now is the time to take action". In addition, he reiterated that "all countries must participate in the fight against global warming; a greater contribution is required from these countries", reminding us that the countries that ratified the Paris Agreement must now present a plan that specifies how they will reach the commitments set out previously.

Once again, the company played a very important role in the Summit with the Moving for Climate NOW External link, opens in new window. initiative and with its participation in the main events and meetings arranged during the Summit held in Bonn (UN Framework Convention for Climate Change, World Business Council for Sustainable Development, Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition, UN Global Compact, etc.).

This year, Moving for Climate NOWExternal link, opens in new window. gathered over 40 representatives of international organisations, who travelled almost 800 km on bicycle to raise the awareness on the importance of how movement is required to combat climate change. The initiative was divided into 7 stages, which combined cycling activity during the morning with debates during the evening. These representatives set off from Paris and arrived at Bonn on the 5th of November, where they presented the Manifesto [PDF] with the fundamental principles that must be addressed to face the challenges of climate change.

2017 route diary

The Bonn Climate Campus

COP23 was organised following a truly innovative concept: one conference, two zones. The city will thus transform for the two-week conference into a Climate Campus organised into two main areas: the Bula Zone and the Bonn Zone.

• Bula Zone: referring to the word for welcome in the Fijian culture, the Bula Zone will comprise the World Conference Centre Bonn, the UN Campus and an extensive area behind the Deutsche Welle building in this German city. This is where the different governments will hold their talks.
• Bonn Zone: located in the city's green hub (Rheinaue Park), this zone will accommodate the main climate action events and exhibitions organised by the host country and the UN. This space will be the sounding board where visitors can learn about the measures being implemented worldwide to fight against climate change. The Bonn Zone will also be a space for sharing knowledge, fostering capabilities and networking.

Over 800 event requests

COP23 has kindled an enormous interest in light of the massive amount of requests from organisations seeking to hold parallel events. The number of requests has climbed to 830, which towers over the amount of requests received for COP22 held in Marrakesh.

Event applicants span a full range of profiles, including company representatives, environmental protection groups, farming associations, indigenous groups, local government organisations, research institutions, trade unions and an abundance of different women's and children's rights organisations.

In the words of Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, "this enthusiasm underlines the significant support for the Paris Climate Change Agreement and its implementation".

We act for the climate

Iberdrola anticipated the energy transition 15 years ago, with a strategy focused on efficient renewable energy. Today, we invest in clean energy, pumped hydroelectric energy storage, smart grids and digitisation, key to integrate renewable energy. Likewise, we promote the electrification process and enable consumers to fully participate in energy transition. As a result, Iberdrola is an active member of the European Round Table of Industralists, an association that brings together the 50 leading European industrial and technological companies, where climate action is part of their business.