July 28, 2023
2 mins read

G20 must step up for climate action, says Guterres

“Climate change is here,” he said as the message was brought home to the UN headquarters by New York declaring an extreme heat advisory for the city…reports Arul Louis

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday appealed to G20 leaders who will meet at a summit in New Delhi to act urgently on climate change because its outcome will impact further efforts.

Calling the September summit headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “critical opportunity”, he said: “Particularly G20 countries — responsible for 80 per cent of global emissions – must step up for climate action and climate justice.”

The success of the UN climate change meeting known as the Conference of Parties (COP) in December in Dubai will depend on the outcome of the G20 meeting, he said while speaking to reporters.

“The G20’s success is a basic precondition for the success of the COP, because nobody else can compensate if those members of the G20 do not seriously engage in a dramatic reduction of that emissions,” he said.

While smaller developing countries like the small island countries are trying to cut emissions of greenhouse gases, “They are not the problem; the problem are developed countries and the emerging economies that meet in the G20”, he said.

“Climate change is here,” he said as the message was brought home to the UN headquarters by New York declaring an extreme heat advisory for the city.

“Extreme weather is becoming the new normal,” he warned.

“All countries must respond and protect their people from the searing heat, fatal floods, storms, droughts, and raging fires that result,” he said.

“We must turn a year of burning heat into a year of burning ambition” to fight climate change.

India suffered through an extreme heat wave in the past three months with parts of the country hitting 47 degrees Celsius.

While he attributed 80 per cent of the greenhouse emissions collectively to the G20 nations, Guterres also spoke of the differences among countries, which would apply to countries in the group.

“Those countries on the frontlines — who have done the least to cause the crisis and have the least resources to deal with it — must have the support they need to do so,” he said.

“It is time for a global surge in adaptation investment to save millions of lives from climate carnage,” he added. He said that the developed countries should stand by their commitments to give $100 billion a year to help developing countries deal with climate change and noted that only Germany and Canada have contributed their share.

Guterres, who has launched a war on fossil fuels, called for ending financing of projects using them and said investments should be directed to renewable energy projects. “Many banks, investors and other financial actors continue to reward polluters and incentivise wrecking the planet,” he said.

ALSO READ-UNFCCC, COP28 urge G20 to take lead in climate change mitigation

Previous Story

UNFCCC, COP28 urge G20 to take lead in climate change mitigation

Next Story

Tech firms form body to ensure safe development of AI models

Latest from -Top News

Pakistan in the Dark: Power Crisis Boils Over

Regular power outages are a fact of life in Pakistan, but recent developments suggest that the situation is escalating to new extremes….writes Nasir Khattak In early January 2025, a nerve-breaking power outage

Modi, MBZ talk big ties

The call reaffirmed their keenness to “strengthen relations in line with their shared vision to leverage opportunities and deepen strategic cooperation.”…reports Asian Lite News In a significant diplomatic engagement, Prime Minister Narendra

It’s Official: Trump Slaps 25% Tariff on India

Trump issues executive order formalising India’s tariff at 25 pc…reports Asian Lite News New York, Aug 1 (IANS) As the deadline for tariffs neared, US President Donald Trump imposed the threatened tariff

Balochistan not for sale, Trump told

Mir Yar Baloch asserted that Trump’s recognition of the oil and mineral reserves in the region is “indeed accurate.”…reports Asian Lite News Just after US President Donald Trump announced to help Pakistan
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Erdogan again raises Kashmir at UN; calls for India-Pak talks

Erdogan signalled to the Taliban regime, which has barred women

Al Jaber urges paradigm shift in climate action

Sultan Al Jaber was speaking at the World Sustainable Development