IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature is the world’s largest and oldest environmental organisation. We are unique in that we have both state and NGO members and we therefore represent a broad constituency. IUCN works as an evidence based, science based umbrella organisation.

But with our broad membership and in view of our science base, we speak for nature, we speak for the poorest, we speak for Indigenous peoples, we speak for the planet, we speak for the future.

Two days ago, we heard from His Holiness Pope Francis. His Holiness spoke for us all; he spoke for the youth, he spoke for the poor. But he also spoke for nature. For nature's bounty and for nature's beauty and for the imperative that we understand the integrated systems of nature and of the ecosystems and species on which we all depend.

That we understand that humans are not to exploit nature carelessly. That we must consider ourselves the stewards and the caretakers of nature.

We were all moved by his speech. We stood up and applauded. In this great house, we were reminded of the ethical values and we were moved.

So, Excellencies. Leadership is a burden as well as a privilege.

Leadership puts demands on us. Leadership demands that we – well – lead. That we look beyond immediate country-based self interest. That we look to our fellow men and women, to the young and to the unborn. And to nature. That we understand our interests are intricately linked, and that this cannot be a zero-sum game. But that we look at the greater whole.

As we all stress the two-degree scenario, I remind you that even two degrees – which will be very hard to reach – will have severe and significant impacts on our planet and its ecosystems. Ecosystems will shift. Ice will melt. Species will disappear. Food production will shift. Floods and droughts will intensify.

We depend on healthy ecosystems. For the water that we consume. The food which we produce. The air we breathe. The oxygen produced by our plants. But our ecosystem services are dependent on a finely balanced web of life. And we do not yet fully comprehend the impacts that the two-degree scenario will have on that finely balanced system.

The poor and the vulnerable are already paying the highest price for climate change. Those who have wealth, protection, infrastructure and insurance can better handle the climate challenges. But those without will remain exposed, although they have done little to cause the problem of climate change. So resilience matters greatly.

In IUCN we call for ‘Nature-based Solutions’ – the deployment of, and the investment in nature's infrastructure to create greater resilience.

So, Excellencies, as we pack our bags for Paris, I ask that you remember this: We need nature, nature does not need us.

So in those bags, please make sure you pack courage. In those bags, please ensure you pack bravery. In those bags, please make sure to pack boldness. And in those bags, please be sure to pack vision as well as the same strong moral stance that His Holiness shared with us.

So that we can get a legally binding agreement with a firm stance on the two-degree scenario.
So that we can have a commitment to decarbonisation of our economy.
So that we will have a clear understanding of Nature-based Solutions.
And so that we will have an adequate financing package.

THAT is what the world expects from you. IUCN will take this message to Paris as we pack our bags.

In Paris, let it be said, that the world came together, transcended national interest and displayed the needed bravery, courage and determination to tackle this global challenge.

I thank you.