Tackle climate change or surrender, UN chief says at opening of climate talks
- UN Secretary General António Guterres says unless the world stops burning coal, efforts to tackle climate change will be doomed
- The world’s largest carbon emitters – the US, China and India – are sending ministerial officials to the talks
In his opening speech to delegates, Guterres cited recent scientific data showing that levels of heat-trapping gases have hit a record high, reaching levels not seen for at least 3 million years when sea levels were 10-20 metres higher than today.
He noted that some countries are still building coal-fired power plants, and that unless emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are sharply cut, temperatures could rise to twice the threshold set in the 2015 Paris accord by the end of the century.
“Do we really want to be remembered as the generation that buried its head in the sand, that fiddled while the planet burned?” Guterres asked. He said the world has a choice to tackle climate change or surrender.
Schmidt said the December 2-13 meeting needs to lay the groundwork for moving toward carbon-neutral economies while being sensitive to the poorest and those most vulnerable to rising temperatures – something that policymakers have termed “just transition”.
“Those who don’t want to see it will be on the wrong side of history,” she said, calling on governments to make more ambitious pledges to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases ahead of a deadline to do so next year.
That involves creating a functioning international emissions-trading system and compensating poor countries for losses they suffer from rising sea levels and other consequences of climate change.
UN chief warns ‘point of no return’ for climate change imminent
Countries agreed in Paris four years ago to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit), ideally 1.5C (2.7F) by the end of the century compared with pre-industrial times. Already, average temperatures have increased by about 1C, leaving little room for the more ambitious target to be met.
“What is lacking is political will,” Guterres told reporters on the eve of the COP25 meeting.
Organisers expect around 29,000 visitors at the meeting, including around 50 heads of state and government for Monday’s opening session.
China’s plans for new coal plants risk undermining global warming fight
But Democratic members of Congress led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the nation remains committed to the 2015 agreement’s goals.
“We’re still in it,” said Pelosi, adding that climate change poses a threat to public health, the economy and national security.