Climate-KIC welcomes Patricia Espinosa as next UNFCCC executive

LONDON, 5 MAY 2016 – Climate-KIC welcomes the intention by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to appoint Patricia Espinosa Cantellano of Mexico as Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Andrea Karpati, Head of Policy at Climate-KIC, commented:                                                 

“The Paris Agreement is the very important first step in tackling climate change globally. But the work is just starting now, as we move towards the implementation of the accord. With the inspiring leadership of Christiana Figueres, governments made incredible progress and gave a much needed start signal to the global economy. The direction of travel is clear, we are out of the starting blocks and we are very pleased that Patricia Espinosa – and her decades of diplomatic experience and seniority as Mexico’s former foreign minister – will guide the agreement through the start-up phase of its implementation. Climate-KIC and our partners form both the private and public sectors stand ready to support her.

We look forward to a swift ratification of the Paris Agreement in Europe and around world – and rapid agreement on the national contributions. Transparency and review are critical in 2016, enabling action on the ground – at a large scale. Climate-KIC will continue to contribute with innovative solutions for all sectors, by co-developing new business models, technological solutions and providing skills.”

Climate-KIC is the EU’s largest public private partnership addressing climate change through innovation to build a zero carbon economy, and has been very active at the COP21 climate change summit in Paris. In Pairs, Climate-KIC worked with a number of UN agencies including the UNFCCC and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to put a spotlight on the importance of innovation, start-ups and entrepreneurship, as well as cross sectoral collaboration for delivering climate change solutions.

Espinosa Cantellano spent almost 20 years of her career in Europe, working in diplomatic positions in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. She has experience at highest levels in international relations, specialising in climate change, global governance, sustainable development and protection of human rights. Since 2012, she has been serving as Ambassador of Mexico to Germany, a position she also held from 2001 to 2002. She previously served as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mexico from 2006 to 2012.

Climate-KIC is supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union.

/ENDS

Notes for Editors

About Climate-KIC

Climate-KIC is the EU’s largest public private partnership addressing climate change through innovation to build a zero carbon economy.

We address climate change across four priority themes: urban areas, land use, production systems, climate metrics and finance. Education is at the heart of these themes to inspire and empower the next generation of climate leaders.

We run programmes for students, start-ups and innovators across Europe via centres in major cities, convening a community of the best people and organisations.

Our approach starts with improving the way people live in cities. Our focus on industry creates the products required for a better living environment, and we look to optimise land use to produce the food people need.

Climate-KIC is supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union.

Media Contact

Angela Howarth
angela.howarth@climate-kic.org
+44 (0) 7872 850 084