The Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterresassured this Friday that it was not too late for that limit global warming and prevent the collapse of the planet as long as we act now and agree to phase out all fossil fuels.
He did it in his speech at summit the leader of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which has just been inaugurated in Dubai. Around 140 heads of state and government from around the world will take part in the summit.
After recounting his recent trip through Antarctica and the glaciers of Nepal, he stressed that melting ice was another “symptom” of the disease affecting our climate and that “only you, Leader World, can heal“, in his words.
“Earth’s signs of life are failing: Emissions record, Fires bitter, droughts Mortals and the hottest year history. We are miles away from our goals Paris Agreement“And at the limit of being able to limit warming.” 1.5 degreeshe explained.
“But it is not too late and the collapse of the planet can be prevented. We have the technologies necessary to prevent the worst climate chaos if we act now,” said Guterres, in a hopeful tone unusual for his speeches on climate change.
To achieve this we need “leadership, Cooperation And political will“, said the head of the United Nations, who emphasized that climate protection can also change the world injustice That rules the world.
Ask G20 and oil companies for leadership
In his opinion, the “diagnosis is clear” and the success of the COP depends on the so-called global balance of the Paris Agreement (Global inventory) “prescribe a healing in three areas“.
First, Drastically reduce emissionsa section where the G20 (the world’s largest economies, accounting for 80% of global emissions) must take the initiative, said Guterres, who has called on developed countries to do so Net zero emissions In 2040 and the economies will emerge in 2050.
“Secondly, we can’t save anyone Planet in flames with a fossil fuel hose (…) The science is clear, the limit of 1.5ºC is only possible when we stop burning all the fossil fuels“Gradually and with a clear calendar and a tripling of the.” renewable capacity and duplicate that Energy efficiency.
In this section, he recalled that the Intergovernmental Panel of Experts on Climate Change (IPCCin English) recommended the end of the Money for 2030 in OECD countries and by 2040 in the rest, adding that according to the International Energy Agency oil and gas They just provide that 1% of investments in clean energy.
The warning: your business is going down
“I have a message for fossil fuel company executives: Don’t keep betting for a model of outdated business and lead the transition to renewable energy,” as the path to climate sustainability is “also the only viable path for the economic sustainability of their companies.”
In this context, he has asked governments to help the sector make the right decision “by regulating, legislating and taking action.” fair CO2 priceend of Fossil fuel subsidies and introduction of a tax on extraordinary profits”.
Thirdly, the parties must commit to this Increasing climate protection financingAdaptation and loss and damage and support the reform of multilateral development banks to achieve much more private financing at reasonable costs.
“Excellences, the climate challenge It’s not just another thing in your (email) inbox. Protecting our climate is the biggest thing Leadership test of the world. I challenge you to take the lead, fate of humanity hanging by a thread, do Make this cop count“, it is finished.
The Loss and Damage Fund, the first agreement
The new Loss and Damage Fund, already being celebrated in Dubai, will help endangered countries on the climate crisis to foot the bill for the impacts. This decision is a signal to the states that this summit must not get bogged down in decisions that are only made at the last minute.
This year the parties came to this city-emirate to primarily discuss: mitigation, as part of Global Balance, the evaluation process of climate efforts that is in its final phase at this COP28.
The new mechanism The funding is intended to mobilize “new and additional” resources for financing Developing countries affected by the consequences of the climate crisis.
At the climate summit Sharm el Sheikh (Egypt)At the 2022 conference, the countries of the Global South made a last-minute decision to set up this fund, the details of which were negotiated during 2023. The formal decision to do so was finally made at this conference begin This instrument of international climate cooperation that already exists 400 million dollars. However, at least $100 billion is expected to be allocated to the US each year most vulnerable countrieswith “agility” and with payments in the form of grant And no loan.
And that’s how it happened World Bank would be responsible for directing the mechanism if the company accepts the terms agreed at COP28, at least for the next four years. To do this, the company must ensure that the fund’s board is autonomous and decides whether a particular country receives money or not.
The Posts They are fundamental Volunteersand although developed countries are mentioned, anyone who considers it can contribute, including the private sector.
Minutes after the decision to activate the fund was made, United Arab Emirates And Germany They committed to contributing $100 million each Great Britain He said he would contribute £40 million; USA$17.5 million, and Japan, another 10 million. European UnionFor its part, it said it would contribute at least 225 million, although the figure is expected to continue to rise following the speeches of political leaders.