Colleagues, I know that I will not surprise you in stating that climate change is one of the biggest challenges for the World. Since 1850, the average global temperature has increased by almost 1°C.
If we fail to take real, sufficient and, most importantly, consistent, and targeted actions, in 2030 our planet will be by as much as 1.5°C hotter compared to the period before the industrial revolution. Temperature extremes, increasingly frequent floods, draughts, and the rapidly rising sea levels are among the most prominent manifestations of the ongoing process of climate change.