The UN Secretary-General has proposed that “big polluters” step up efforts to reduce emissions and richer countries are supporting emerging economies in these efforts.
António Guterres said at a press conference on Thursday that he was “deeply concerned about the world’s position on climate. Countries are still a long way from meeting their commitments and climate commitments.”
The Portuguese regretted seeing “a lack of ambition, trust, support, cooperation. And a plethora of questions about clarity and credibility. The climate agenda is being undermined”.
The UN Secretary-General reiterated that current policies will lead to global average temperatures rising by 2.8 degrees by the end of the century and that to avoid this, carbon emissions must be cut by 45% by 2030 be reduced.
Guterres asked developed countries “to reach zero emissions as soon as possible” and recalled that there are already rich countries announcing this goal for 2035: “I’m not asking for the impossible”.
As for developing countries, the official called for a reduction in carbon emissions by 2050, a target set by “several major emerging economies” such as Vietnam.
The UN Secretary-General also suggested that multilateral development banks adapt business models so that emerging countries can “massively increase” investment in renewable energy.
In line with the UN plan, both countries and companies must commit not to use coal, to stop financing coal projects and not to issue new permits for oil or natural gas power generation projects.
Guterres defended that the fossil fuel industry has a “special responsibility” after achieving “record revenues of four billion dollars” (3.6 billion euros) in 2022.
“However, for every dollar spent on oil and gas exploration and drilling, only four cents goes to clean energy. Trading the future for 30 pieces of silver is immoral,” he warned.
“It is time to accelerate the just transition to a green economy. It is still possible to limit the increase in global temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius,” stressed the UN Secretary-General.
Source: DN
