It’s Time To Deliver

It’s time to deliver.

Four words that are simply empty rhetoric at the annual global climate conference.

But United Nations (UN) secretary-general António Guterres had to drill the same message yet again as world leaders converge in Baku, Azerbaijan,  for the 29th Conference of Parties (COP 29).

Mr Guterres told world leaders that the earth was in the final countdown to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius and time was not on everyone’s side.

Fiji’s delegation to COP29 is led by the Minister for Finance, Biman Prasad.

“Families running for their lives be-fore the next hurricane strikes; biodiversity destroyed in sweltering seas; workers and pilgrims collapsing in in-sufferable heat; floods tearing through communities, and tearing down infra-structure; children going to bed hungry as droughts ravage crops,” Mr Guterres said.

“All these disasters, and more, are being supercharged by human-made cli-mate change and no country is spared.

“In our global economy, supply chain shocks raise costs – everywhere, decimated harvests push up food prices everywhere.

“Destroyed homes increase insurance premiums everywhere. This is a story of avoidable injustice, the rich cause the problem, the poor pay the highest price.

“Oxfam finds the richest billionaires emit more carbon in an hour and a half than the average person does in a lifetime. Unless emissions plummet and adaptation soars, every economy will face far greater fury. But there is every reason to hope.”

MOVE AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUELS

He said at COP28, everyone agreed to move away from fossil fuels. “To accelerate net zero energy systems, setting milestones to get there, to boost climate adaptation and to align the next round of economy-wide national climate plans – or NDCs – with the 1.5-degree limit.

‘IT’S TIME TO DELIVER’

He said scientists, activists, and young people were demanding change. “They must be heard, not silenced. And the economic imperative is clearer and more compelling with every renewable roll out, every innovation, and every price drop.

“Doubling down on fossil fuels is absurd. The clean energy revolution is here. No group, no business, and no government can stop it. But you can and must ensure it is fair, and fast enough to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.”

He said all countries must do their part. But the G20 must lead, Mr Guterres said.

“They are the largest emitters, with the greatest capacities and responsibilities. They must bring their technological know-how together – with developed countries supporting emerging economies. Every nation must have the tools and resources for climate action.

“And the United Nations will support that effort every step of the way: we’re supporting developing countries with new NDCs through the Climate Promise initiative.”

THERE IS NO TIME TO LOSE

He said on climate finance, the world must pay up, or humanity would pay the price.

“In this crucial period, you and your governments must be guided by a clear truth: Climate finance is not charity, it’s an investment. Climate action is not optional, it’s imperative.

“Both are indispensable: to a liveable world for all humanity. And a prosperous future for every nation on earth. The clock is ticking.”

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