Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 21st Sept. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday told the world leaders at the UN high level summit that “Horrendous heat is having horrendous effects” as a broad global coalition of “movers and doers” politicians, business and civil society gathered to discuss climate change And its impact on SDGs in New York.
He told the world leaders gathered that front and centre was an urgent call to action, to prevent cascading climate disasters through a just and equitable energy transition – before it’s too late.
Guterres was speaking on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly to politicians, business, activists and civil society leaders.
He gave a stark warning about the dire consequences of inaction.
The Secretary General said that with extreme weather events accelerating, “humanity has opened the gates to hell.”
He described distressing scenes of farmers helplessly watching crops washed away by floods, the emergence of virulent disease due to rising temperatures, and the mass exodus of people fleeing historic wildfires.
“Our focus here is on climate solutions – and our task is urgent”, he said.
He warned that climate action was being “dwarfed by the scale of the challenge”, with humanity heading towards a 2.8°C temperature rise, increasing danger and instability.
But “the future is not fixed” he added and the Paris Agreement target of limiting temperature rise as close as possible to 1.5°C is still attainable.
“We can still build a world of clear air, green jobs, and affordable clean power for all,” he said”.
He reiterated that activists are refusing to be silenced, Indigenous Peoples are rallying to defend their ancestral land, and corporate executives are transforming how they do business.
Guterres called for a Climate Solidarity Pact that will hold major emitters more to account, and calling on wealthy countries to support emerging economies so they can weather the crisis.
He added that the Acceleration Agenda calls on governments “to hit fast forward”.
He spoke about climate justice, and recognized the anger felt by many of the world’s poorest nations disproportionately affected by a crisis they did not cause.
“Many of the poorest nations have every right to be angry,” he added.
He reiterated that promised finance had not materialized while the costs of borrowing remain sky-high.
“All parties must operationalize the Loss and Damage Fund at COP28,” he urged and reminded the developed countries must meet the $100 billion commitment, replenish the Green Climate Fund, and double adaptation funding.
He added that creating early warning systems for everyone by 2027 is a must, too.
The Acceleration Agenda called for businesses and financial institutions to embark on true net zero pathways, with a focus on transparency and credibility in emission reduction plans.
“Every company that truly means business, must create just transition plans that credibly cut emissions and deliver climate justice,” he said.
He called for action beyond the meeting rooms of New York.
“We can and we must turn up the tempo,” he concluded, to loud applause around the room, Mr. Guterres concluded.
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