About

The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) formed the High Ambition Coalition in run-up negotiations at the UNFCCC to the Paris Agreement in 2015, helping to secure key elements of the deal, including the 1.5C temperature goal, the net zero global emissions pathway by the second half of the century, and a five-year cycle for updating mitigation contributions. 

Since then, the HAC has worked to realize the promises of the Paris Agreement it came together to deliver. The work has accelerated and expanded in scope, driving forward ambitious global climate action. And the science has only become clearer since Paris, underscoring the imperative of keeping global temperature increase below 1.5C if we are to avert the most severe impacts of climate change.

History

Dubbed “The Justice Leage of Climate Diplomacy” by CNN, the HAC was nurtured over several months through small and intimate meetings of progressive developed and developing nations to discuss common positions, strategy and messaging. The original purpose of the HAC was to galvanize a broad coalition in support of building momentum towards a strong agreement at COP21.

Throughout Paris, the gatherings of the HAC grew, involving a majority of vulnerable country ministers and engagement from a number of larger emitters. By the second week of COP21, the HAC involved more than 30 ministers representing groupings made up of about 100 countries.  Rolling Stone magazine noted that “perhaps the greatest surprise in Paris was that one of the most important players in the negotiations came from one of the world's smallest nations: the Marshall Islands.” RMI continues to serve as the official convener of the HAC today, with support from Independent Diplomat.

Our Focus Today

COP-26 in November 2021 will be the first litmus test of the efficacy and longevity of the Paris Agreement. So just as it did in the lead up to COP-21, the HAC will once again play a key role in promoting ambition in the run up to COP-26 by ensuring the delivery of ambitious nationally-determined contributions, long-term greenhouse gas reduction strategies, national adaptation plans and climate finance commitments that are aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also created an unprecedented moment for countries to reset their economies with climate-conscious recovery policies – and the HAC has once again heeded a call for ambitious action. At a June 2020 HAC virtual ministerial meeting, leaders endorsed the UN Secretary General’s six actions for a climate-related recovery and called for states to operationalize these principles, and and catalyze a green and just recovery.