RIYADH — where developed and emerging economies collaborate to expedite energy transition — is critical for a better future as the Earth approaches a tipping point that would make climate disaster irreversible, according to UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Guterres stated at the high-level opening of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, that the Group of 20 countries should speed energy transition within the decade to prevent the severe repercussions of climate change.
“Global temperatures continue to rise. We’ve got our foot on the gas on the way to climatic hell. We are dangerously near to the end of the road. To prevent that fate, the G20 countries must speed their transition now, within this decade,” Guterres stated during his speech.
He went on to say that industrialized countries must lead the way in the energy transition, while emerging economies must do their part to flatten the global emissions curve.
“At the start of COP27, I am pushing for a historic climate solidarity pact between developed and emerging economies.” “A deal in which all countries commit to making further efforts to decrease emissions this decade in order to meet the 1.5-degree target,” he said.
Guterres went on to remark that the agreement will allow countries and international financial institutions to collaborate to provide financial and technical aid to emerging economies as they transition to renewable energy.
He went on to say that the agreement is expected to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and deliver universal, cheap, and sustainable energy for everybody.
“Humanity must choose whether to cooperate or perish.” “It’s either a Climate Solidarity Pact or a Collective Suicide Pact,” stated Guterres.
According to the UN Secretary-General, over 3.5 billion people live in countries that are vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
“We sorely need progress on adaptation,” he continued. Developed countries pledged in Glasgow to double adaptation funding to $40 billion per year by 2025. And we must know that this is merely the beginning. By 2030, the annual cost of adaptation is expected to exceed $300 billion.”
Guterres also asked international financial institutions and multilateral development banks to change their business models and contribute to scaling up adaptation finance and better mobilizing private capital to invest substantially in climate action.
He went on to say that the fighting in Ukraine highlighted the grave dangers of fossil fuel addiction.
“The cause of the climate problem is human activities.” Human action must be the answer. Restoring aspiration via action. And the action to restore confidence between the north and south,” he added.
Guterres stated that the world’s population will reach 8 billion within the next few days, and that attaining goals is critical for future generations of mankind.
The Secretary-General went on to say that humans now have the financial and technological means to meet climate goals, and that states should work together to put them into action.
“It is time for worldwide cooperation across the board,” he said, describing war on nature as a tremendous violation of human rights. A solidarity that upholds all human rights and provides a safe space for environmental activists and other societal actors to participate to our climate response.”
Source: Arab News
