United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on countries to take immediate action to address climate change, as his term comes to a close. Speaking at the final climate summit of his tenure, Guterres emphasized the need for countries to develop practical plans to phase out fossil fuels and transition to renewable energy sources. He cited the growing momentum behind clean energy, which he described as "unstoppable".
Guterres' comments come as countries around the world face increasingly severe weather events, from heatwaves and wildfires in Europe to devastating floods in Nepal. The current El Niño phenomenon, which is expected to be record-breaking, is exacerbating extreme weather conditions globally. The Secretary-General warned that the world cannot afford to delay, saying "we cannot waste a single second".
In a speech to the climate summit, Guterres highlighted the economic benefits of transitioning to renewable energy, noting that clean energy is now the cheapest and fastest source of power in many parts of the world. He also praised countries that have already made significant commitments to reducing their carbon emissions, citing Germany's recent adoption of a roadmap to phase out fossil fuels.
Germany's move follows similar commitments from France and the Netherlands, and is seen as a significant step towards achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. The UK's Foreign Secretary, Ed Miliband, also announced a major investment in a new financial mechanism to support global efforts to address climate change, nature loss, and pollution.
Guterres' call to action comes as he prepares to leave office at the end of the year. During his tenure, he has been a vocal advocate for climate action, and has sought to mobilize international support for efforts to address the crisis. He has also been critical of the fossil fuel industry, accusing companies of treating the atmosphere like a "waste dump".
The climate summit, which was attended by leaders from around the world, was seen as a critical moment for countries to demonstrate their commitment to addressing climate change. Guterres' speech was widely covered, and was seen as a rallying cry for countries to take action to protect the planet.
The outcome of the climate summit remains to be seen, but Guterres' call to action is likely to have a lasting impact on the global conversation around climate change. As countries prepare for the next stage of international climate negotiations, Guterres' words are likely to resonate with leaders and policymakers around the world.
Key points
- Guterres calls on countries to abandon fossil fuels and transition to renewable energy.
- The UK announces a major investment in a new financial mechanism to support global climate efforts.
- Germany adopts a roadmap to phase out fossil fuels, following similar commitments from France and the Netherlands.
