Almost fifty countries have signed up to achieve challenging new goals in sustainability and to use only renewable energy sources by 2050. The countries that have committed to the measures are those that are particularly affected by the challenges of global warming, including the Maldives, Bangladesh and Ethiopia.

48 signatory countries now comprise the Climate Vulnerable Forum, which was set up in Morocco during the recent UN Climate Change Conference held in Marrakesh. The forum was set up in 2009. The member countries are now working hard to transition to an entirely renewable energy economy as quickly as possible and to achieve their goal between 2030 and 2050, if not before.

Vulnerable Countries

Bangladesh is one signatory country that is particularly concerned about the effects of global warming due to its own vulnerability - it is particularly at risk from high sea levels. The nearby Marshall Islands and the Maldives - also members of the forum - have been affected by severe floods that have been linked with the effects of climate change.

Working Together to Stimulate Change

The forum members also agreed that they would take concerted action to assist in limiting global warming to just 1.5 C above the pre-industrialisation figures.

An Opportunity for All

The forum advisor for Bangladesh, Saleemul Huq, said that the new target was an opportunity rather than a challenge and should be seized by vulnerable countries which are otherwise most affected by climate change and its effects. Former US Vice-President and climate change campaigner Al Gore said that the forum had set a powerful and ambitious vision for other countries to follow, providing fresh optimism that the world could meet the challenges of global warming before it is too late.