Reaction to the UN Climate Summit proceedings to date

Jonathan Grant, director, sustainability & climate change, PwC gives initial thoughts on the UN Climate Summit activities today.

"Heads of state spoke passionately all day about climate change and nearly every sector of the economy was covered by the initiatives announced. The roll call of activities and ambitions will give many the impression that Ban Ki-moon’s goal of encouraging bold action and raising ambition has been achieved. But it will take time to sort the new announcements from the old, and to understand whether the new announcements are a step change from business as usual. It was disappointing that carbon capture didn’t get the attention it really needs. Unless it gets high level support this critical low carbon technology will struggle to attract the investment needed.

"All in all to the outside observer, it all sounds like an impressive list of initiatives and a huge amount of action on climate change. But the reality is it doesn’t compare with the growth in GDP and emissions that come with it. The detail to follow before the Paris Summit next year is more critical than ever."

For media enquiries, contact Rowena Mearley +447841563180.

Follow the team's updates on the UN Climate Summit and New York Climate Week @pwcclimateready.