United Nations General Secretary Antonio Guterres arrived in India on Friday to participate in the G20 Summit held in the national capital, Delhi. During his visit, Guterres addressed the media and stressed the crucial need to preserve the “1.5 degrees Celsius goal” to address climate change effectively.
Guterres emphasized that G20 countries, comprising 85 percent of the world’s GDP and 80 percent of global emissions, should take the lead in keeping the 1.5 degrees Celsius global warming target alive. This target was agreed upon during the Paris climate talks in 2015, aiming to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels (1850-1900) to avoid catastrophic and likely irreversible consequences of climate change.
“We have no time to lose; challenges stretch as far as I can see. The climate crisis is worsening dramatically, but the collective response is lacking in ambition, credibility, and urgency,” Guterres stated during a press conference on the eve of the G20 Summit in Delhi.
He called on G20 nations to focus on two priority areas: preventing a climate breakdown and achieving the sustainable development goals.
Guterres emphasized that the climate crisis is escalating rapidly, but the G20 countries have the power to influence its course. Together, these nations are responsible for 80 percent of global emissions. Half-hearted measures will not suffice to prevent a full-fledged climate breakdown, he warned.
The UN General Secretary urged G20 leaders to uphold the 1.5 degrees Celsius goal, rebuild trust by emphasizing climate justice, and advance a just and equitable transition to a green economy. He stressed that major emitters should make extra efforts to reduce emissions and provide support to emerging economies in achieving these reductions.
He proposed that developed countries commit to achieving net-zero emissions by 2040, while emerging economies should aim for this target by 2050. Additionally, Guterres suggested that OECD countries phase out coal by 2030, with other nations following suit by 2040.
Guterres also called on developed countries within the G20 to lead by fulfilling their commitments to developing nations. This includes meeting the USD 100 billion climate finance goal, doubling adaptation finance, replenishing the Green Climate Fund, and operationalizing the loss and damage fund established in the last Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Antonio Guterres, the UN General Secretary, used his visit to India for the G20 Summit to stress the urgency of addressing the climate crisis. He called on G20 nations to take bold and decisive actions to preserve the 1.5 degrees Celsius climate goal, rebuild trust, and transition toward a sustainable and green economy to avert catastrophic consequences of climate change.
