UNEP has relayed a call from students of more than forty nationalities for an ambitious climate deal to be reached at the COP21 talks taking place later this year.

In order to hear the call, Jan Dusik, Director of the UNEP Regional Office for Europe, joined the French Permanent Ambassador to the UN Nicolas Niemtchinow in meeting the students at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on 3 June.

“Humankind is making our planet suffer, obsessed by the prospect of getting richer. Forgetting where apples are from, it converts forests into fields,” goes part of the ‘Appel de Ferney’ produced by students from Lycée Internationale Ferney Voltaire in the Ain region of France and written in the style of the French Enlightenment author.

“Our planet is a common good and it is on this basis that we will reap tomorrow’s riches,” the students underlined.

“Contributions such as yours are essential. They allow for the voice of youths to be relayed, while it is youths who will experience the effects of climate change already set to take place, no matter what decisions are taken in December,” said Mr Dusik in relation to the Paris Conference.

Our current model of development is no longer sustainable, Mr Niemtchinow conceded, while underlining that “if we are gathered here today, it is because we believe it is possible to reach a deal in December,” for which civil society’s full support is needed.

Click here to read the full speeches made at the event and watch a video also produced by the students on climate change following a model UN session held by the school.

For more information: diana.rizzolio@unep.org