The United Nations Secretary General said Friday at the opening of the World Climate Action Summit in Dubai that it is still possible to prevent the “collapse and conflagration of the planet” if countries act “now”, with leadership, cooperation and political will.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the meeting of political leaders as part of the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP 28), António Guterres urged countries to take urgent action to “dramatically reduce” emissions, support the just transition and accelerate a just approach to climate change. sustainable energy, and promoting climate justice that protects developing countries.
The UN Secretary General began by congratulating COP28 President Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber on the “positive start” of the conference, “with a swift adoption of the agenda and the historic operationalization of the Fund for Losses and injury’.
Recalling that he witnessed the melting of the polar ice cap and the melting of glaciers in two remote parts of the planet – Antarctica and Nepal – in a short period of time, Guterres said the disappearance of polar ice and glaciers, in plain sight, is causing about damage all over the world, from landslides and floods to rising sea levels, a ‘disease’ that world leaders ‘can cure’.
“Earth’s vital functions are failing: record emissions, raging fires, deadly droughts and the hottest year on record. We are miles away from the Paris Agreement targets – and minutes from midnight to the 1.5 degree limit. But it’s not too late. It is possible to prevent the planet from collapsing and burning. We have the technologies needed to prevent the worst climate chaos – if we act now”he claimed.
Recalling that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has outlined “a clear path” to limit global warming to 1.5ºC above pre-industrial averages, the UN Secretary-General emphasized that this “leadership – cooperation – and political will” and it is needed “now”.
António Guterres drew attention to the fact that global warming is “inflating budgets, raising food prices, disrupting energy markets and fueling a cost of living crisis.”
According to the UN official, climate action can change the situation and renewable energy is the right way forward for the planet, health and the economy.
“The diagnosis is clear: first drastically reduce emissions. The G20 – which represents 80% of global emissions – must take the lead. I urge countries to accelerate their timetable for net-zero emissions to reach this goal as close as possible to 2040 in developed countries and 2050 in emerging economies”he claimed.
Secondly, António Guterres stressed the need to accelerate a fair and just transition to renewable energy, because the 1.5 degree target is only possible with the end of fossil fuels, in order to “provide clean energy to everyone by 2030 ”.
“I have a message for the leaders of fossil fuel companies: Your old way is quickly becoming obsolete. Don’t be fooled by an outdated business model. Lead the transition to sustainable energy. Make no mistake: the path to sustainable climate change is also the only viable path to economic sustainability of your companies”he defended.
Guterres urged governments to help the industry make “the right choice” by regulating, legislating, setting a fair price for carbon, ending fossil fuel subsidies and introducing a tax on windfall profits.
Third, the United Nations Secretary-General emphasized that “climate justice has been needed for a long time,” as “developing countries are devastated by catastrophes of their own making.”
“Exorbitant financing costs are blocking their climate action plans. And the support is too little, too late”he stated, adding that the overall assessment should include a commitment to increased financing, especially for adaptation and for losses and damage.
“And it must support the reform of multilateral development banks to mobilize much more private financing at reasonable costs”he stressed, urging developed countries to show how they will double adaptation financing to $40 billion per year by 2025 – as promised – and clarify how they will deliver the $100 billion – as promised.
COP28 runs until December 12.
Source: DN
