Skopje, 1 December 2023 (MIA) – President Stevo Pendarovski addressed Friday the high-level segment of the United Nations Climate Change Conference – COP28, held in Dubai. In his address, President Pendarovski noted that despite being a small country, North Macedonia has “big climate ambitions” – to reduce a net 82 percent of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.

“It is not a novel fact that humanity is facing an immense climate crisis. A world devastated by climate change would be a world stricken by unimaginable human suffering. A profound injustice is that the most vulnerable nations, populations and sectors will be disproportionally affected. First come the vulnerable nations. Situated in one of the most climate-vulnerable regions in the world, the Mediterranean, North Macedonia is a small country with big climate ambitions. Our target is to reduce a net 82 percent of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. This is not an easy task. Coal power plants are our major source of electricity, but also our biggest polluters, affecting both climate and health,” said Pendarovski.

The dilemma, according to the President, is how to phase out coal without jeopardizing the energy security of the country and the livelihood of the community. He stressed that the country is committed to achieve its goal by the end of the decade, and noted that North Macedonia was the first European pilot country to be selected for the Accelerating Coal Transition (ACT) program by the Climate Investment Fund.

“Here at COP28, together with the EBRD, we will be launching the just energy transition investment platform, which will help us mobilize the necessary funds to switch to renewables, speed up green investments and create high-quality green jobs for mining communities. We wish to invite potential partners and donors to join this platform and prove that just energy transition is not only necessary but also possible and affordable. By doing so, we will comply with the EU global renewables and energy efficiency pledge,” said Pendarovski.

The second, according to the President, are vulnerable populations, such as children. He stressed that the country supports the completions of the first Global Stocktake; the adoption of the Global Goal on Adaptation framework; and making the Loss and Damage Fund operationally viable “in order to be truly fair and impartial, all systems must integrate the needs and respect the rights of children”.

“Third are the vulnerable sectors, such as health. Tackling climate change could be an opportunity to develop climate and disaster-resilient health systems. To this end, we fully support the Declaration on Climate and Health. Finally, by caring for the planet and for the people, for the ecosystems and the economy, we will reduce energy insecurity and contribute to much-needed peace and security. Vulnerability can be an excuse for desperation or a chance for action, let’s choose the second option,” said President Stevo Pendarovski in his address.

Photo/Video: Office of the President of North Macedonia