At the 2025 Nature Summit in Panamá, Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change (UNFCCC), urged nations to see climate action as a catalyst for economic growth and stability. As countries prepare to submit their new national climate plans (NDCs) ahead of COP30, Stiell called these plans “really about growth” and “an antidote to economic uncertainty.”
Stiell highlighted how climate change is already disrupting global trade. He cited the Panama Canal’s falling water levels—caused by drought—as a striking example of how climate impacts are slowing shipping, raising costs, and threatening livelihoods.
“Climate policy can help get trade flowing and economies growing,” Stiell said, addressing leaders and stakeholders gathered in the Panamanian capital. “Clear and strong climate policies provide signals to markets and investors ready to hit the ‘go’ button on multi-billion-dollar commitments.”
The summit coincides with the launch of a revamped Climate Week, focused on bridging technical discussions with real-world implementation and engaging actors from across the global economy. The goal, Stiell emphasized, is to move beyond paper commitments and ensure that NDCs are matched by political will and tangible action.
“This new generation of NDCs isn’t just about emission cuts—it’s about creating jobs, boosting revenues, and driving inclusive growth,” he said. He pointed to recent national commitments—from Brazil’s nature-centric plans to China’s new economy-wide targets—as signs that the global shift toward decarbonization is “unstoppable.”
Stiell also stressed the importance of cooperation over competition, warning against a “two-speed transition” that could leave developing countries behind. “A supply chain is only as strong as its most fragile link,” he said, adding that the $2 trillion clean energy market can benefit everyone—if the world works together.
As the summit spotlighted climate-linked economic disruption, Stiell’s message was clear: “In these uncertain times, it’s important not to lose sight of where we’re going. The ships crossing this canal can carry the building blocks of a cleaner, fairer global economy—if we ensure the path ahead stays open.”
