Antonio Guterres says immediate action and political will can prevent the collapse of the Earth

The United Nations Secretary-General said this Friday at the opening of the World Climate Action Summit in Dubai that it is still possible to avoid the “collapse and burning of the planet” if countries act “now,” with leadership. cooperation and political will.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the meeting of political leaders at the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP 28), António Guterres called on countries to take urgent action to “dramatically reduce emissions” and accelerate a just transition and an equitable approach to climate change. renewable energy and promote climate justice that protects developing countries.

The UN Secretary-General began by congratulating COP28 President Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber for the “positive start” of the conference, “with the rapid adoption of the agenda and the historic launch of the Loss and Damage Fund.”

Recalling that in a short period of time he has witnessed the melting of polar ice caps and the melting of glaciers in two remote parts of the planet – Antarctica and Nepal – Guterres said that the disappearance of polar ice caps and glaciers in the Vision Plain is causing damage around the world, from landslides and floods to rising sea levels, a “disease” that world leaders “can cure.”

“Earth’s vital signs are deteriorating: 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’s possible. “to avoid the collapse and burning of the planet. We have the technology needed to avoid the worst of climate chaos – if we act now,” he said.

Recalling that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has outlined a “clear path” to limit global warming to 1.5 ºC above pre-industrial averages, the UN Secretary-General stressed that this requires “leadership – cooperation – and political will”, and this “now” is necessary.

António Guterres highlighted the fact that global warming is “destroying budgets, causing food prices to soar, disrupting energy markets and exacerbating the cost of living crisis.”

Climate action can make a difference and renewable energy is the right way forward for the planet, health and the economy, according to a UN official.

“The diagnosis is clear: first, sharply reduce emissions. The G20, which accounts for 80% of global emissions, must take the lead. “I encourage countries to accelerate their timetables to achieve net-zero emissions to achieve this goal as close as possible to 2040 in developed countries and 2050 in emerging economies,” he said.

Secondly, António Guterres emphasized the need to accelerate a fair and equitable transition to renewable energy, as the 1.5 degree target is only possible with the end of fossil fuel use to ensure “clean energy for all by 2030.”

“I have a message for fossil fuel executives: Your old roads are quickly aging. Don’t be fooled by an outdated business model. Lead the transition to renewable energy. Make no mistake – the path to sustainable development is the only real path to the economic sustainability of your companies,” he said.

Guterres called on governments to help industry make “the right choices” by regulating, passing laws, setting a fair price on carbon emissions, ending fossil fuel subsidies and passing a tax on windfall profits.

Third, the United Nations Secretary-General emphasized that “climate justice is long overdue” as “developing countries are devastated by disasters they did not cause.”

“Exorbitant borrowing costs are blocking their climate action plans.

“And it must support reform of the multilateral development banks to mobilize far more private finance at reasonable prices,” he stressed, calling on developed countries to show how they would double adaptation funding to $40 billion a year by 2025 – as promised – and explain how they will fulfill the $100 billion – as promised.

COP28 runs until December 12th.