Climate Change
The climate crisis poses an existential threat. We want to create political space for ambitious action, help ensure a just transition to the low carbon economy and encourage the scaling-up of support for particularly climate vulnerable communities.
Latest Climate Change Content
Photo: NASA/Kathryn Hansen
The Issue
"The exigency of this situation must not lead us to despair, rather it should propel us into action." - Mary Robinson
The climate crisis is not a looming threat, people are now living with the consequences of centuries of greenhouse gas emissions. A failure to act urgently now will mean a reverse in development gains for the poorest and most vulnerable people in society, an erosion of biodiversity, increasing difficulties in providing food and shelter, as well as the potential loss of entire countries due to the impacts of climate change.
Our Approach
"As the scientific evidence mounts, so too does the need to address the concerns vulnerable countries are raising around loss and damage and adaptation finance." - Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
The Elders stand firmly behind the goal of limiting climate change to 1.5 degrees.
A just approach to tackling climate change means not only that the most vulnerable are able to participate fully in efforts to address the climate crisis; but that richer countries help poorer countries to adapt to the impacts of climate change, contributing more towards developing low-carbon solutions, and providing funding and access to this technology.
Photo: UN Women/Joe Saade
Our call for urgent climate action
“This is a crucial moment for all of humanity.”
The Elders call for climate justice and urgent action on the climate crisis. They ask for leaders to do all they can to keep a path to 1.5°C degrees alive.