United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said G20 leaders have the power to reset the climate crisis that is “out of control.” He and urged them to reshape global financial rules which he said were outdated and unfair.
“The climate crisis is worsening dramatically – but the collective response is lacking in ambition, credibility and urgency,” Guterres said in a speech in the Indian capital, New Delhi, which chairs the G20 this weekend.
Guterres called on the G20 to commit to maintaining the “1.5 degree temperature reduction goal” – referring to the 2015 Paris Agreement goal of limiting global average temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and targeting 1.5 degrees Celsius.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses a press conference ahead of the G20 Summit in New Delhi, India, September 8, 2023. (Photo: AP)
“I’ve put forward the Climate Solidarity Pact – where big emitters go the extra mile to reduce emissions; and rich countries support developing countries to achieve this,” said Guterres.
The plan urges developed countries to reach net-zero by 2040, and developing countries as close as possible to 2050, and proposes phasing out coal by 2030 in OECD countries and by 2040 in the rest.
“The climate crisis is spiraling out of control. But the G20 countries are able to control it,” he said.
“Together, G20 countries are responsible for 80 percent of global emissions. Half-measures will not prevent full-blown climate damage,” he said.
The UN Secretary General also asked G20 leaders to ensure a stimulus of at least $500 billion per year to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Climate change is one of the global issues that will be discussed by leaders at the G20 summit, which is expected to be dominated by Western countries and their allies, with Chinese Presidents Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin not attending the meeting. (ah/ft)
