Bold new actions to immediately tackle climate change have been announced by Government, business, finance and civil society leaders attending yesterday's historic Climate Summit convened by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

“Today was a great day – a historic day. Never before have so many leaders gathered to commit to action on climate change,” Mr. Ban said, summing up the day-long event, which drew a unique mix of international players who announced their vision and commitment for reaching a universal and meaningful climate agreement in 2015.

The announcementwas accompanied by news on actions that will reduce emissions, enhance resistance to climate change and mobilize financing for climate action.

“The Summit delivered,” declared the UN chief, noting that leaders had reaffirmed determination to limit global temperature rise to less than 2 degrees Celsius by cutting emissions.

On finance, the Secretary-General said public and private sources showed the way forward for mobilizing the needed resources. Leaders expressed strong support for the Green Climate Fund, with  a total of $2.3 billion pledged towards the Fund's initial capitalization and further committed contributions by November 2014.

“A new coalition of Governments, business, finance, multilateral development banks and civil society leaders announced their commitment to mobilize upwards of $200 billion for financing low-carbon and climate-resilient development,” he said, adding that private banks announced they would issue $20 billion in “Green Bonds” and that they would double the market to $50 billion by 2015, next year.

On carbon pricing, “one of the most powerful tools available for reducing emissions and generating sustainable development and growth”, Mr. Ban said that many Government and business leaders supported putting a price on carbon through various instruments and called for intensified efforts to eliminate fossil fuel subsidies. Some 30 companies had announced their alignment with the Caring for Climate Business Leadership Criteria on Carbon Pricing.

Among the day’s other highlights, he said the Summit had heard how strengthening resilience – both climate and financial – is a smart and essential investment. Adaptation needs are growing, particularly for the least developed countries and small island developing States, which are most at risk and need most international support.

Finally, he spotlighted that “new coalitions are forming to meet the full scope of the climate challenge,” and citied the first Global Agricultural Alliance which was launched at the Summit to enable 500 million farmers worldwide to practice climate-smart agriculture by 2030.

Leaders of the oil and gas industry, along with national Governments and civil society organisations, also made an historic commitment to identify and reduce methane emissions by 2020.

A new Compact of Mayors, representing 200 cities with a combined population of 400 million people, pledged new commitments to reduce annual emissions by between 12.4 and 16.4 per cent.

Looking ahead, Mr. Ban urged the participants to maintain the spirit of compromise and commitment that characterized the discourse at the Summit. “We must fulfil and expand on all the pledges and initiatives brought forward today.”

Earlier in the day, Mr. Ban already welcomed specific commitments made by specific countries, including “generous pledges’ of $1 billion each by President François Hollande of France and Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany.

He also noted that The European Union pledged to adopt the 40 per cent emissions reductions target this October.