António Guterres, Secretary General of the UN, has stated that it is still possible to stop the advance of global warming and reduce its impact to avoid the collapse of the planet. In his speech at the COP28 Dubai Climate Summit, he also pointed out that for this it is necessary to act as soon as possible and immediately begin to progressively eliminate the use of fossil fuels.
The politician has spoken about his recent trip to the glaciers of Antarctica and Nepal, in which he was able to closely observe the consequences of climate change with the melting that has occurred in these places, which he has referred to as a “symptom.” of the disease that the climate suffers and “that only you, world leaders, can cure.”
Guterres has taken advantage of the meeting, in which some 140 leaders from different countries of the world will participate, to emphasize that “the vital signs of the Earth are failing” and has listed problems such as “record emissions, ferocious fires, deadly droughts and the year” . “hottest in history” as an example of this. The Secretary General has also denounced that the current situation is far from meeting the established objectives of the Paris Agreement.
Political will to avoid “climate chaos”
“But it is not too late and planetary collapse can be avoided. We have the necessary technologies to avoid the worst of climate chaos, if we act now,” Guterres asserted, in a tone of hope unusual in his speeches on climate change.
To achieve this, we now need “leadership, cooperation and political will”, according to the United Nations leader, who has stressed that climate action can also change the injustice that governs the world. In his opinion, the “diagnosis is clear” and the success of the COP depends on the fact that the so-called global balance of the Paris Agreement “prescribes a cure in three areas.”
Call on the G20 and oil companies to lead climate action
Firstly, restrictively reduce emissions, a section in which the G20 (the largest economies in the world that concentrate 80% of global emissions) must take the initiative, said Guterres, who has urged developed countries to go zero. . net emissions in 2040 and emerging economies in 2050. “Secondly, we cannot save a burning planet with a hose of fossil fuels (…) The science is clear, the 1.5 degree limit is only possible if “We stop burning all fossil fuels” progressively and with a clear calendar, as well as tripling renewable capacity and doubling energy efficiency.
In this section, he has recorded that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has recommended ending coal by 2030 in OECD countries and by 2040 in the rest, to which he added that, According to the International Energy Agency, oil and gas companies only contribute 1% of investment in clean energy.
Warning to oil companies: their business is ending
“I have a message for the leaders of fossil fuel companies: do not continue betting on an obsolete business model and lead the transition to renewable energies” because the path towards climate sustainability “is also the only viable path for a sustainable economy.” of their companies.”
In this context, he has asked governments to help the sector make the right decision “by regulating, legislating, putting a fair price on carbon, ending fossil fuel subsidies and adopting a tax on extraordinary profits.”
Third, parties must commit to increasing financing in mitigation, adaptation and loss and damage and support the reform of multilateral development banks to achieve much more private financing at reasonable costs. “Excellencies, the climate challenge is not just another matter in your (email) inbox. Protecting our climate is the greatest test of leadership in the world. I urge you to lead, the fate of humanity hangs in the balance, do make this COP count”, he concluded.
THE NAIS IS OFFICIAL EDITOR ON NAIS NEWS