RIYADH: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlighted the critical importance of climate action during a roundtable discussion at COP29 in Baku.
At the High-Level Event on the stocktake of “Integrity Matters,” global leaders gathered to address the pressing need for climate action, reviewing progress, challenges, and the role of non-state actors in achieving net-zero commitments.
“We are racing against time,” Guterres stated, noting that extreme weather events are causing widespread human suffering and economic damage, making the global target of limiting temperature rises to 1.5 degrees Celsius increasingly difficult to achieve.
Reflecting on current efforts, the secretary-general acknowledged significant global efforts to steer the world towards net-zero by mid-century. However, he emphasized that these efforts will only succeed with stronger collaboration across all sectors. Guterres called on businesses, financial institutions, cities, regions, and more to align with national governments on climate action plans and work together towards decarbonization.
“We must ensure that governments facilitate, rather than hinder, the work of other actors in achieving a 1.5-aligned future,” he said.
Guterres expressed support for the climate leaders and activists present, stating, “Time is running out, and you are on the right side of history.” He cautioned, however, that while a low-carbon transition is inevitable, it may not happen in time.
Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin also spoke, outlining Brazil’s commitment to combating global warming through policies targeting deforestation and renewable energy. He highlighted a 45.7 percent reduction in deforestation rates over the past two years and Brazil’s shift towards greener fuels, including biodiesel and ethanol.
Helena Vines Fiestas, chair of the EU Platform on Sustainable Finance, updated the assembly on climate policies among G20 countries, noting a significant increase in policies supporting non-state actors’ net-zero transitions.
Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, announced a new initiative to enhance transparency in environmental action, with the relaunch of the Global Climate Action Portal.
Washington State Governor Jay Inslee reassured the assembly that state-level commitments to climate action in the US would remain unchanged despite recent political shifts.
Catherine McKenna, chair of the UN High-Level Expert Group on Net-Zero Emissions Commitments of Non-State Actors, emphasized the urgency of high-integrity net-zero plans in her report “Integrity Matters: The Hard Work is Now.” She called for stronger governmental regulations to ensure credible climate commitments.
Guterres concluded by reminding the assembly of the significant challenges still ahead on the path to net-zero goals.
Source link: https://www.arabnews.com
