70. United Nations Work on Climate Change

Younju Lee is from South Korea and based in Paris, France. She is a Masters student for Environmental Policy as well as an intern with the Stakeholder Engagement team at United Nations Climate Change. 

The United Nations is working around the world to cut emissions, pursue nature-based solutions, extend sustainable energy and invest in resilient cities, among many other initiatives.

One of the most pressing initiatives is The Paris Agreement, which is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. It was adopted by 196 Parties at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, France, on 12 December 2015. It then, entered into force on 4 November 2016. Its overarching goal is to hold “the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels” and pursue efforts “to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.” However, in recent years, world leaders have stressed the need to limit global warming to 1.5°C by the end of this century. 

With Younju we talk about her experience working with the UN, the Paris Agreement, her contributions, challenges of working with an international organization, and COP29.

Contact and connect: younju.lee@sciencespo.fr   

Paris Agreement: https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement