The historic climate agreement reached at COP21 in Paris between 196 nations was a rare and encouraging display of global solidarity and hope. However, the need to turn this hope into concrete action is urgent if we are to ensure that we limit climate change to 1.5 degrees.

Unless governments act quickly and deliberately we risk creating, through our own actions, one of the greatest injustices in human history, denying future generations their right to a habitable, sustainable planet. If we fail to act now, the whole of humanity stands to lose.

A solution is possible. We possess the tools and the technology to move towards a low-carbon economy and end our reliance on fossil fuels. With bold, transformative leadership at the global level and insight and innovation from the grassroots, we can unite around the shared vision of a sustainable, equitable world.

Perversely it is the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people – those who benefit least from fossil fuel-powered growth – who are the most affected by the impacts of climate change. Floods, droughts and extreme weather events undermine their basic rights to food, water, health and shelter. Left unchecked, climate change threatens catastrophe for generations to come.

A just approach to 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.

The Elders call on the international community to significantly scale up support for the implementation of adaptation strategies in vulnerable communities, as well as for mechanisms that address the irreversible loss and damage in climate-vulnerable countries. The Elders also call for financial support to ensure that the poorest and most vulnerable nations are represented in international climate negotiations.

Watch Mary Robinson explain climate justice, the importance of building resilience and ensuring adequate climate finance:

If we are to seize this historic opportunity, avert climate catastrophe and move towards a carbon-neutral world, extraordinary leadership is required. The Elders appeal for leadership at all levels – political, business, faith communities, young people, women, civil society – to change the narrative on climate change and deliver transformative progress.

World leaders must be bold, restore trust and give hope. The long-term interests of humanity take precedence over short-term political and financial concerns. We should not be afraid to ‘name and shame’ governments that break international agreements or fail to meet their commitments on climate change. At the same time, we should recognise and encourage good leadership, for example in the many developing countries that have made significant progress to pioneer legislation on climate mitigation and adaptation.