What Is 2019 UN Climate Action Summit

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2019 UN Climate Action Summit was held on September 23, 2019, in New York City, convened by UN Secretary-General António Guterres to accelerate global climate action and boost national commitments under the Paris Agreement.

Key Facts

The summit took place on September 23, 2019, at UN Headquarters in New York City.
It was convened by UN Secretary-General António Guterres to push for stronger climate commitments.
Over 70 countries announced enhanced climate plans or carbon neutrality targets.
The summit focused on seven key action areas, including energy transition and nature-based solutions.
Major emitters like the U.S. and Australia did not announce new pledges during the event.

Overview

The 2019 UN Climate Action Summit was a high-level event organized by the United Nations to galvanize political momentum and practical solutions for combating climate change. Held on September 23, 2019, at UN Headquarters in New York City, it preceded the UN General Assembly and aimed to push nations toward more ambitious climate goals.

Unlike previous climate conferences, this summit did not involve formal treaty negotiations. Instead, it focused on showcasing concrete initiatives and encouraging governments, businesses, and civil society to commit to stronger climate action. The goal was to build momentum ahead of the 2020 deadline for countries to submit updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.

Convened by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the summit sought to address the growing gap between current climate policies and the goals of the Paris Agreement.
The event emphasized action over rhetoric, urging countries to present specific plans rather than general statements.
Over 70 countries, including Germany, Canada, and small island nations, pledged to enhance their climate targets by 2020.
Major sectors like energy, transport, and agriculture were targeted through seven thematic coalitions launched during the summit.
Youth activists, including Greta Thunberg, played a visible role, with Thunberg delivering her now-famous 'How dare you?' speech at the UN days after the summit.

How It Works

The summit operated through a series of focused coalitions and country-led initiatives designed to drive progress in key climate sectors. Rather than negotiating binding agreements, it served as a platform for announcing new commitments and scaling up existing efforts.

Energy Transition: Over 20 countries and 100 companies pledged to phase out coal and scale up renewable energy. The Powering Past Coal Alliance expanded, with 30 new members joining by 2020.
Climate Finance: Developed nations committed $10 billion in new climate funding, including $7 billion for the Green Climate Fund’s replenishment.
Nature-Based Solutions: Countries like Colombia and Uganda announced plans to restore over 20 million hectares of degraded land by 2030.
Resilient Infrastructure: The Coalition for Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure launched, backed by 11 countries including India and Australia, to improve climate resilience in development projects.
Youth and Public Mobilization: The summit featured a Youth Climate Summit, where 500 young leaders from 140 countries presented climate action proposals to UN officials.
Net-Zero Emissions: At least 77 countries and 100 cities pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by mid-century, though major emitters like China and the U.S. did not join initially.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit compares to other major climate events in scope, outcomes, and participation.

Event	Year	Key Outcome	Number of Countries Involved	Binding Agreements?
2019 UN Climate Action Summit	2019	77 countries pledged net-zero targets	Over 70	No
Paris Agreement	2015	Global pact to limit warming to below 2°C	195	Yes
COP26 (Glasgow)	2021	Global Methane Pledge signed by 100+ countries	197	Partial
Kyoto Protocol	1997	First binding emissions targets for developed nations	192	Yes
Rio Earth Summit	1992	Adoption of UNFCCC framework	178	No

The 2019 summit stands out for its focus on non-binding, action-oriented commitments rather than formal negotiations. While it lacked the universal participation of COP events, it succeeded in spotlighting emerging climate leadership from subnational actors and private companies.

Why It Matters

The 2019 UN Climate Action Summit played a pivotal role in shaping the global climate agenda in the 2020s. It helped shift the narrative from long-term goals to immediate, measurable actions, influencing subsequent climate policies and international cooperation.

Increased ambition: The summit catalyzed over 100 net-zero pledges from countries, regions, and corporations by 2020.
Private sector engagement: Over 170 companies committed to science-based emissions targets through the Science Based Targets initiative.
Youth influence: Greta Thunberg’s activism and the Global Climate Strike drew 7.6 million people worldwide, amplifying public pressure on leaders.
Coal phase-out momentum: The Powering Past Coal Alliance grew to include 50 members, accelerating the global decline of coal power.
Finance mobilization: The summit helped secure $10 billion in new climate funding, boosting adaptation efforts in vulnerable nations.
Policy influence: Many commitments made in 2019 were later integrated into national climate laws, including the EU’s Green Deal and Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan.

Though not a treaty-making event, the summit demonstrated the growing power of moral and political leadership in driving climate action. Its legacy continues to influence global climate diplomacy and national policy frameworks.