The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on global leaders to fulfil their pledges to transition away from fossil fuels.
Speaking at the opening of the COP29 World Leaders’ Climate Action Summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Tuesday, Guterres emphasised the urgent need for action. At the COP28 summit in Dubai, nations had agreed to move away from fossil fuels, though not to phase them out completely.
Guterres reiterated this commitment, stressing that the most vulnerable countries should not be left alone to face the impacts of climate change.
“The clean energy revolution is already underway,” he declared, urging governments to ensure that the transition is equitable and swift enough to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. He highlighted the necessity for new nationally determined contributions (NDCs) by February 2025, which must include plans to reduce global fossil fuel production and consumption by 30 per cent by 2030.
“The sound you hear is the ticking clock. We are in the final countdown to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. And time is not on our side,” Guterres warned. He pointed out that the wealthy are largely responsible for the problem, while the poor bear the brunt of its consequences, citing “Oxfam finds the richest billionaires emit more carbon in an hour and a half than the average person does in a lifetime.”
He cautioned that without drastic emission cuts and increased adaptation efforts, every economy would face severe repercussions.
Guterres reminded the leaders that at COP28, they had agreed to move away from fossil fuels, accelerate net-zero energy systems, set milestones, enhance climate adaptation, and align national climate plans with the 1.5-degree target. “It’s time to deliver,” he asserted.
He noted that last year, for the first time, investment in grids and renewables surpassed spending on fossil fuels, with solar and wind now being the cheapest sources of new electricity. “Doubling down on fossil fuels is absurd,” he stated.
Guterres urged leaders to focus on emergency emissions reductions, aiming for a nine per cent annual cut in global emissions. By 2030, emissions should be reduced by 43 per cent from 2019 levels. He called for fair and effective carbon market rules at this COP and new national climate action plans by the next.
“They must cover all emissions and the whole economy; advance global goals to triple renewables capacity, double energy efficiency, halt deforestation by 2030, and align energy transition and sustainable development priorities with climate action to attract needed investments,” he added.
Guterres singled out G20 nations, the largest emitters, to lead the efforts in reducing global emissions. He also stressed the importance of fulfilling finance commitments, urging developed countries to double adaptation finance to at least $40 billion annually by 2025.
He called for COP29 to dismantle barriers to climate finance and ensure polluters pay. Developed countries must assist emerging economies with technological support. The UN, he assured, would back these efforts.
“Ultimately, only you can deliver on national ambition and action. Only you can beat the clock on 1.5 degrees,” Guterres stated, noting that the adaptation finance gap could reach $359 billion annually by 2030.
He called for new climate action plans to outline adaptation financing needs and ensure every person on earth is protected by an alert system by 2027.
He added, “We need climate justice, particularly a surge in pledges to the new Loss and Damage Fund, and commitments turning into cash.
“Developing countries must not leave Baku empty-handed. A deal is a must. We need a new finance goal that meets the moment.
Guterres concluded that climate finance is an investment, not charity, and that climate action is essential for a liveable world for all humanity.
Frances Ibiefo
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