In Europe, participants of the Global Ethical Stocktake discuss the ethical imperative of tackling climate change

On June 24, the first Global Ethical Stocktake (GES) dialogue convened in London, U.K. The event—a global call to climate action ahead of COP30 in Belém, Pará—gathered twenty participants to discuss the ethical imperative of addressing climate change and how it can shape climate negotiations under Brasil's leadership this November. The European Dialogue, co-organized by former Irish President and climate justice champion Mary Robinson, was the first of six regional meetings scheduled to be held across different continents by October. These meetings aim to include a diversity of identities, geographies, sectors, and worldviews.

Attendees included civil society representatives, scientists, economists, activists, political leaders, and private sector figures from or based in Europe. Brasil’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Marina Silva; COP30 President, Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago; COP30 CEO, Ana Toni; and Brasil’s Ambassador to the U.K., Antonio Patriota, attended the event as well.

The European Dialogue took place at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew - Image: Fernando Donasci/MMA

The centerpiece of one of COP30's four leadership circles and led by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the GES will culminate in six regional reports and a synthesis report to be delivered to heads of state and negotiators during the Pre-COP in October. The results of the process will also be displayed in a physical space at the conference in Belém.

The European meeting was held at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew as part of the London Climate Action Week, one of the most important climate forums in the world and an event on the official COP30 calendar. "We have to recognize the unethical nature of making commitments that have no practical consequences. And, inconveniently, we must ask ourselves: is it ethical not to take the agreements we have signed seriously?" said Minister Marina Silva in her speech.

Minister Marina Silva stressed that implementation is now paramount, especially of the decisions made in the United Arab Emirates Consensus, which is based on the first Global Stocktaking of the Paris Agreement and was held at COP28 in Dubai. Through it, 196 countries agreed to align their actions to limit average global warming to no more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. The main measures agreed upon are tripling renewable energy capacity, doubling energy efficiency, and promoting a just and planned transition away from fossil fuels and deforestation.

COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago pointed out that the GES "serves as a poignant reminder, highlighting the remarkable impact individuals can have," and he elaborated that the pivotal element of the ethical dimension lies in the choice to act following one's principles when confronted with the opportunity to do so.

"I hope these Ethical Stocktakes convey the people's voice at COP30," Ms. Robinson highlighted. "Just as happened with the Global Stocktake, I hope they trigger reflection and, more importantly, encourage action."

Mary Robinson is the BEG co-conviner for Europe - Image: Fernando Donasci/MMA

Ecological transformation
A co-organizer will facilitate each GES Regional Dialogue. In addition to Ms. Robinson, Ms. Wanjira Mathai and Ms. Karenna Gore will co-organize the Africa and North America dialogues, respectively. They will also attend the European dialogue.

The GES will encourage self-organized dialogues led by civil society and national or subnational governments. These dialogues will follow the same methodology and principles as the official process.

The goal is to help align the UNFCCC's negotiation framework and calendar with the urgent mission of implementing climate agreements reached over the past decade drawing on discussions from these gatherings.

At the center of the initiative is the understanding that no technical solution can be effective without changing collective behaviors and pathways. The GES aims to reinforce the cultural values necessary for the ecological transformation that humanity must undertake to address the climate crisis.

Full list of participants in the European Dialogue on the Global Ethical Stocktake (BEG):

• Alexandre Antonelli, Director of Science at Kew Gardens and Professor of Biodiversity, University of Oxford;
• Brice Böhmer, Transparency International's Global Climate and Environment Coordinator;
• Daze Aghaji, climate justice activist, educator, cultural curator and founder of Extinction Rebellion Youth UK;
• Eamon Denis Ryan, former Irish Minister for Environment, Climate & Transport, architect of Ireland’s 2021 Climate Act;
• Elisa Morgera, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Climate Change and Professor of Global Environmental Law, University of Strathclyde;
• Emilie Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation, a career diplomat and co-author of the Paris Agreement;
• Emmanuel Guérin, fellow at European Climate Foundation and one of the Paris Agreement architects;
• Hannah Martin, co-founder and Co-Executive Director of Green New Deal Rising (UK youth-led climate movement);
• Jennifer Lee Morgan, former Secretary of State for International Climate Policy, Germany;
• Jutka Bari, biologist, Director of Green Legal Platform and expert in community development and social justice;
• Kate Hampton, CEO of Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF);
• Lorna Tevnan Gold, President of the board of the Laudato Si' Movement and Advocacy Director of FaithInvest, an organization that connects religious institutions to ethical financing practices;
• Malcom Ferdinand, environmental engineer and political philosopher, researcher at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) and author of the book “A decolonial ecology: thinking from the Caribbean world”;
• Mara Andreea Ghilan, youth climate activist and climate policy specialist;
• Mete Coban, London Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy;
• Nicholas Stern, economist, professor at LSE and author of the “Stern Review” on the economics of climate change;
• Paul Polman, former CEO of Unilever and co-founder of IMAGINE; global reference in corporate sustainability and ethical leadership;
• Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, UK environmental activist and founder of Ella Roberta Foundation;
• Sébastien Duyck, senior lawyer at the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), coordinates the global campaign on climate and human rights;
• Tom Clements, Director of the International Nature and Climate program of the Royal Foundation, the arm of environmental and climate initiatives led by the Prince of Wales.

Translation by COP30 Communications Office
English Version: Trad. Bárbara Menezes
Proofreading by Enrique Villamil

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