Baku, Nov. 12, (dpa/GNA) – UN Secretary General António Guterres has warned world leaders that time is running out in the fight against climate change.
“We are in the final countdown to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius,” Guterres told the UN’s Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku. “And time is not on our side.”
It currently looks unlikely that the world will meet the globally agreed target of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees compared to pre-industrial levels. This year the limit is expected to be exceeded for the first time, while the target is a multi-year average.
Guterres described 2024 as “a masterclass in climate destruction.” Families had fled from hurricanes, workers collapsed in unbearable heat and children had gone to bed hungry due to crop failures, he noted.
Such disasters “are being supercharged by human-made climate change,” the UN chief said.
“This is a story of avoidable injustice,” Guterres went on. “The rich cause the problem, the poor pay the highest price.” He called on countries worldwide to fulfill their promises and phase out fossil fuels which contribute to global warming.
He also said that countries must invest money to mitigate damages and losses and support the long-term financing of climate protection and adaptation in poorer countries. This is one of the core issues being negotiated at the two-week conference in Baku.
“Developing countries must not leave Baku empty-handed. A deal is a must – and I’m confident about it,” Guterres said.
He considers the industrially strong G20 countries, which are meeting in Brazil next week, to be particularly responsible. “Climate finance is not charity, it’s an investment. Climate action is not optional, it’s imperative,” Guterres said, adding: “The clock is ticking.”
GNA