What is COP25?

COP25 will be one of the most important international political events of the year. Organised by the UN since 1995, it is the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP), which will take place from 2 to 13 December 2019.

This important event has taken on even greater significance for our country, as it will be the first to be held in Spain.

Where is it being held?

The summit will involve 15 days of climate action in Madrid. It will be held at the IFEMA – Feria de Madrid exhibition centre, occupying a total of seven halls, covering more than 100,000 square metres, as well as an additional 13,000 square metres in the conference area.

It will accommodate between 20,000 and 25,000 people from around 200 countries who will be visiting the city for the event, and between 15 and 20 heads of state are expected to attend.

What is the aim of this summit?

The main aim of this summit is to address the key climate concerns, paving the way for countries to submit their contributions to climate action and finalise the implementing rules for the Paris Agreement on global warming.

In addition, experts from the scientific community will be involved to present the latest climate reports and work towards the energy transition.

What specific issues will be discussed at COP25?

Topics such as forests and deforestation will be addressed, the latter being one of the main contributors to climate change.

Greenhouse gas emissions from the various countries involved will be reviewed. Issues relating to biodiversity loss and the risk of desertification will be discussed.

Other topics to be discussed include ocean-based solutions grounded in the latest scientific research, the identification of sustainable development goals, and commitments to health and air quality.

Why is this important?

The summit is the final meeting to bring the Paris Agreement into force; this agreement is designed to be the first legally binding global pact to protect the planet’s climate and must be fully in force by January 2020.

COP25 aims to strengthen the safeguards for its implementation through the entry into force of national measures.

What is the Paris Agreement?

The Paris Agreement, signed in 2015 at COP21, is the most comprehensive legally binding agreement to tackle the climate crisis. It sets out a global action plan to limit global warming to below 2 degrees and to continue efforts to ensure it does not exceed 1.5 degrees.

Will Greta Thunberg be attending?

Activist Greta Thunberg has expressed her wish on social media to attend the climate summit in Madrid. She is currently crossing the Atlantic on a sailing boat and hopes to arrive at the port of Lisbon in early December before travelling on to Madrid.

Can I volunteer at COP25 in Madrid?

Yes, Madrid City Council is coordinating applications. You can register and choose the day on which you’d like to receive the necessary training, as well as the days on which you’d like to take part.

Further information on COP25: The Green Zone

The COP25 organisers are encouraging civil society to demonstrate their commitment to climate action in the summit’s Green Zone. This is a space where citizens can express themselves in an interactive, participatory and inclusive way by generating content relating to climate action.

All those interested in taking part are invited to answer the same question, which must be evident in every activity, performance, exhibition, talk or debate: How does you/your organisation contribute, through specific actions or examples, to a carbon-neutral and climate-resilient planet by 2050?

Stakeholders may propose specific activities via the online form available on the Ministry for Ecological Transition (MITECO) website before 21 November.

Once all proposals have been received and assessed, the final programme for the Green Zone will be drawn up and registration for the various activities will open.

Further information on COP25: transport facilities

Renfe will offer a 35 per cent discount to summit attendees.

References:

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