Climate action and sustainable development are inseparable.
Climate change is a threat multiplier. It amplifies existing threats, exacerbating problems for the economy, environment and society.
I would like to share with you three points of linkage between climate change and the sustainable development goals based upon our latest assessment.
First, the current warming is already producing negative impacts on natural and human systems, seriously impeding progress toward some SDGs.
Second, an ambitious climate goal such as the Paris Agreement objective of limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius and pursuing 1.5 degree Celsius helps achieve most SDGs but it creates a trade-off for some SDGs and balancing the goals will be a challenge.
Third, ambitious climate actions produce new opportunities for the economy, environment and society. But these are contingent upon international cooperation, with social justice and equity being core aspects of climate-resilient development pathways.
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