The scientific consensus is clear: if we do nothing, our planet’s natural cycles will be affected forever. The facts stated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) place us in a position of historic responsibility. One million animal and plant species are currently threatened with extinction. Half of the world’s population is at risk of food insecurity. Some scenarios even predict a 5°C rise in the temperature of the Earth, with incalculable consequences for humanity.

Together, we need to do more, without delay. In the absence of firm commitment, practical measures and strong mobilization, the objectives of the Paris Agreement will not be achieved fast enough to halt climate change. Each of us has a duty to act. This means governments and public bodies of course, and also economic actors, which will all be affected by these changes. The One Planet Summit is based on the belief that everyone has a role to play in this collective effort. It is a forum in which all those who can take action, including governments, companies, research institutions, financial institutions, international organizations, NGOs and citizens can come together.

Our duty is a duty to act (...). The environment needs to be put back at the heart of the economy.
Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic

The vision of the One Planet Summit is to offer a new, pragmatic and effective framework for action, one that will contribute to broadening and renewing international cooperation for the ecological transition. A platform for joint commitment bringing together all these stakeholders, and their willingness to act, generates many synergies. Tangible and useful solutions on the ground emerge, resulting in a turning point for the environment. The One Planet Summit also helps incorporate climate and environmental challenges into the very core of development models, on a global scale.

This broad and inclusive method is in synergy with more institutional multilateral cooperation, especially in the context of the major United Nations conventions on climate change, biodiversity and combating desertification. By experimenting with new ways of working, demonstrating that stakeholders from public sector and civil society are ready to get involved, and raising funds for the ecological transition, these initiatives all contribute to creating the conditions for successful intergovernmental negotiations. This method also builds on the work carried out at conferences by the parties to those conventions, bringing about ambitious and transformative projects and shaping the action agendas.

The cross-cutting nature of the One Planet Summit also contributes to the convergence of environmental agendas and helps achieve convergence in combating desertification and climate change, and in preserving biodiversity. All too often, these issues are dealt with separately, despite the fact that they are inextricably linked. Coherent and effective action requires them to be tackled head-on, collectively.

Making peace with nature is the defining task of the 21st century. It must be the top, top priority for everyone, everywhere.
António Guterres, United Nations' Secretary general