Posted on September, 24 2013

Gland, Switzerland: Today’s announcement of a new Global Commission that will investigate how combating climate change can be consistent with development, prosperity and inclusive growth, is welcome. 

The Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), to be released on Friday, is likely to underscore the fact that global warming will continue to accelerate alarmingly without immediate and specific action.

In this context, the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate plans to undertake a landmark study – called the New Climate Economy - is needed, even necessary.

The Global Commission is an independent initiative established by a group of seven countries: Colombia, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Korea, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom, chaired by former President of Mexico Felipe Calderón.

The report is due to be issued in September 2014, when UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon convenes global leaders for a climate Leadership Summit in New York and the IPCC prepares to release its final report in October.

“Climate change is an enormous and growing risk to people and to the natural world on which we all depend," said WWF International Director General Jim Leape.  "Bringing together the imperatives of development, a renewable energy transition and natural values is a critical task. We look forward to supporting the Commission's efforts, particularly as it works to include important natural and social values such as equity that will be essential to a successful outcome.”