20140924_CF
Source: RTCC
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INrLyVQjZ5o
Date: 24/09/2014
Event: Christiana Figueres: "Yes, we must, yes we can, and then we will"
Credit: RTCC
People:
- Christiana Figueres: Executive Secretary, UNFCCC
- Edward King: Editor, RTCC
Christiana Figueres: You know, I think this march really is a very, very good example that the context, in which a global climate change agreement is being negotiated, has substantially changed and irrevocably changed. This is an unprecedented mobilisation of public support for - not just for an agreement but for an ambitious agreement, an ambitious agreement that is actually going to make a difference in the lives of so many people, in particular the vulnerable people.
And this is why this is so exciting, because there has never been as much public support, there has never been as much mobilisation actually of the private sector and the finance sector to show that not only must we address climate change but that we can address climate change. And so the third piece there is: "Yes, we must, yes we can, and then we will", and that is what I expect to hear on Tuesday from governments, "Yes, we will address climate change".
Edward King: Politically, what kind of impact does a march like this have? What difference, really, does it make?
Christiana Figueres: You know, I think it contributes to building confidence. Governments are really struggling to decide for themselves how ambitious can they be in this agreement. And the more public support there is, the more corporate support there is, the more confidence governments can have to strive for the highest level of ambition. So it's a very, very important confidence-building process.
Edward King: You're marching, you mentioned on Twitter, with your two daughters - what does it mean for you to see so many young people here? It's a theme you've talked about a lot, in the past few years, since you've taken over as UN climate chief.
Christiana Figueres: Well, you know, it used to be that climate change impacts would only affect the next generation, and that's definitely what motivated me to get into this. But, actually, we are now at the point where climate change is affecting even those of us who are here now, this generation. So this is a matter not, you know, of only looking into the future - this is realising that today, this is it, we are running out of time. We have to get to an ambitious global agreement by next year. And mobilisations like this are so, so helpful to be the voice of support but also the voice of urgency. We have to get there, and I'm actually confident that this voice is going to be heard, it's going to be heard down at the UN, where there will be - in fact, I see many negotiators who will be here today, as well. And it is a voice that needs to continue to be raised, not just until Tuesday but until we have a global ambitious agreement in Paris next year. So I am counting on these voices to accompany us.