The President of the Republic highlighted this Wednesday at the United Nations the measures taken in Portugal to combat climate change and left a message of confidence in the ability of political leaders to act.
“We can and will care for what is our only planet, the future of the younger generations. We will be responsible to our people. We will not let them down,” he declared in a speech at the Climate Ambition Summit, at the United Nations Organization (UN) headquarters in New York.
This summit was convened by UN Secretary General António Guterres to reiterate the urgency of taking action on this issue.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who spoke in English for about three minutes, called for “more ambition and credibility on climate action.”
In the presence of the Minister of Environment and Climate Action, Duarte Cordeiro, the Head of State referred, among other things, that “Portugal has decided to bring forward its total carbon neutrality by five years, until 2045” and that he “will continue to invest in science and technology applied to the seas “.
“But we are confident that before 2030 and before 2050 we can and will take care of what is our only planet, the future of the younger generations. We will be responsible for our people. We will not let them down,” he added. .
“We finance so many vulnerable countries. We have started a pilot agreement with Cape Verde, converting government debt into a climate and environmental fund. We will replicate this with other African and Asian countries belonging to the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries (CPLP),” he stressed.
“By 2030 we will reduce our emissions by 55%”
The President of the Republic said that humanity is “running against the clock” and that “too much time” has already been lost to stop and minimize the effects of climate change.
“But we are confident that before 2030 and before 2050 we can and will take care of what is our only planet, the future of the younger generations. We will be responsible for our people. We will not let them down,” he added. .
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said Portugal does not produce electricity from coal nor does it have nuclear power and “will expect 80% renewable energy sources in electricity production within four years, until 2026, and 100% renewable energy sources in 2030.”
“By 2030 we will reduce our emissions by 55% [de gases com efeito de estufa]”, continued the head of state.
Still talking about the measures taken in Portugal regarding the sea, he highlighted the decision to “classify 30% of the Portuguese sea as a protected area” and the development of “an Atlantic observatory for the climate”.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa arrived in the United States of America on Sunday night, where he will stay until Friday.
Speaking at the general debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, he called on world leaders to move from promises to action in reforming this organization, in particular its Security Council, and global financial institutions.
News updated at 6:49 PM
Source: DN
