Witness History The Paris climate agreement
Dec 12, 2025
In this insightful discussion, Christiana Figueres, a Costa Rican diplomat and former UN climate chief who orchestrated the Paris climate negotiations, shares fascinating reflections on the historic 2015 talks. She reveals how her childhood encounter with a golden toad ignited her passion for climate advocacy. Figueres also recounts dramatic moments, such as bomb threats and a pivotal wording change that almost derailed the agreement. Her firsthand experiences highlight the complexities of international diplomacy and the urgent need for climate action.
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Childhood Moment That Sparked Activism
- Christiana Figueres fell in love with nature after seeing a golden toad in Monteverde as a child.
- She later learned that species went extinct due to climate change, which motivated her lifelong commitment.
Unexpected Call To Lead Climate Talks
- Christiana received a surprise early-morning call offering her the top UN climate job while she was in pyjamas.
- She was stunned and immediately faced the challenge of restoring stalled global negotiations.
Shifts That Made A Deal Possible
- After Copenhagen, key countries like China became more willing to act because of public health and economic shifts.
- Falling costs of renewable energy and large deployments changed the negotiating atmosphere substantially.