“Together, we managed to meet expectations and adopt the much needed ‘Katowice Rulebook’, which is a handbook for effective implementation of the Paris Agreement. This was our joint success, which would not have been possible without your wisdom, skills and personal commitment,” said Michał Kurtyka, Minister of Climate and President of COP24 on Monday, handing over the chairmanship of the climate negotiations to the Chilean Presidency.

Minister Kurtyka emphasised that the Just Transition declaration signed in Katowice brings the issue of sensitivity to human issues to the global climate policy. He recalled that one of many successes of COP24 was the introduction of the climate debate into the international arena, including discussions on electromobility (during COP24 in Katowice, 44 countries signed the “Driving Change Together – Katowice Partnership for Electromobility” declaration), as well as forests (“Forest Declaration”).

The COP24 President also added that Poland would support its Chilean successors in finalising the last element of the Paris Agreement – the creation of common markets for emissions trading.

On 2 December 2019, the UN International Climate Summit – COP25 – began in Madrid. It will last until December 13th. The meeting is chaired by Chile and the Chilean Environment Minister, Carolina Schmidt, was elected President of COP25.