Annual Report 2019 Chapter Title

United Nations Climate Change Annual Report 2019 Chapter Title

Scope of this report

This report encompasses the key achievements under the UNFCCC intergovernmental process and the activities of the secretariat, particularly the impacts of those activities in support of the Convention, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement.

A note on terminology

In this publication, “UN Climate Change” refers collectively to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC or Convention), the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement, and their bodies, institutional arrangements and organs, including the secretariat.

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement

This publication is issued solely for public information purposes, including any references to the Convention, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement, and any relevant decisions with respect thereto. No liability is assumed for the accuracy or uses of information provided.

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ISBN: 978-92-9219-190-0

Cover image: 1. Dima Zel/Shutterstock.com 2. Eco Wave Power is a winner of the 2019 UN Global Action Awards for its innovative technology that produces clean electricity from ocean and sea waves. 3. Chencho Norbu Glacier - Bhutan. Photo by UN Climate Change/Jigme

Art direction and design: Imprimerie Centrale Luxembourg Contents

Foreword by António Guterres ______2 Message from Patricia Espinosa ______4 I. Climate change: a planetary emergency ______5 II. Who we are ______7 Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the UNFCCC ______9 25 years of global climate effort ______10 Responding to climate change with global collaboration ______12 III. The year in review ______13 Strengthening action and mobilizing support ______14 Mitigation ______14 Adaptation ______17 Climate finance ______19 Technology ______20 Capacity-building ______21 Carbon markets ______22 COP 25 ______24 Pursuing ambition ______28 Strengthening the science-policy interface ______29 Mobilizing stakeholders and extending partnerships and outreach __ 30 Addressing cross-cutting issues ______35 A secretariat fit for the future ______38 IV. Moving forward ______41 V. Financial performance ______45

Annual Report 2019 | UN Climate Change 1 Foreword by António Guterres

Foreword by António Guterres United Nations Secretary-General

The year 2019 saw some evidence of increased the initiatives launched at the 2019 Summit, along ambition to address climate change, such as the with significant additional actions from State and commitments made at the United Nations Climate non-State actors. Action Summit convened in September, the replenishment of the Green Climate Fund and the Leaders are rightly focused on saving lives and many other activities covered in this report. But these livelihoods, and on easing the devastating economic steps were simply overwhelmed by two overarching and social impacts of COVID-19. But, as we strive to realities: the conti