Antonio Guterres warns that "humanity has opened the gates of hell" and encourages accelerating climate action

The UN urges developed countries to advance the goal of climate neutrality to 2040 compared to the current one in 2050

   MADRID, 20 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Secretary General of the UN, Antonio Guterres, presented this Wednesday his 'Agenda for Acceleration' after warning countries that the task of the climate solution is "urgent" because "humanity has opened the doors to hell." However, he is confident that there is still time to achieve the objectives of the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Climate Agreement.

Thus, he has given as an example the "horrendous" heat waves that are causing "horrendous effects", with "dismayed" farmers who see how the floods take away their crops; suffocating temperatures that generate diseases and thousands of people fleeing for fear of the spread of historic fires.

For this reason, he has denounced that climate action is "dwarf compared to the scale of the challenge" and, in this context, he has presented his 'Acceleration Agenda' that urges countries to advance rapidly on their path to reducing emissions and policies. so that developed countries reach "net zero" as close as possible to 2040 and emerging economies as close to 2050 as possible.

During his speech at the Climate Meeting being held in New York to coincide with the UN General Assembly, Guterres warned that if nothing changes, the planet is heading towards a scenario of global temperature increase of 2.8ºC. , which lead to a "dangerous and unstable" world.

However, he considers that "the future is not set in stone", but is open to what leaders write and it is still possible to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5ºC.

"We can still build a world with clean air, green jobs and affordable clean energy for all. The path forward is clear. It has been forged by fighters and pioneers, some of whom are here today," said Guterres, who cited expressly to the activists who refused to be silenced; indigenous peoples defend their lands from climate extremes; the CEOs who are transforming their business models and financing just transition investments; mayors moving towards a zero-carbon future and governments working to phase out fossil fuels and protect vulnerable communities.

He has once again stressed the importance of reaching the goal of limiting global temperature to 1.5ºC to protect "ourselves" from extreme climate and has appealed for solidarity and support for developing countries and for global leaders to take action. action to reduce emissions.

"The move from fossil fuels to renewable energy is happening, but we are decades behind. We must make up for time lost to delays, pressures and the overt greed of entrenched interests raking in billions of dollars from fossil fuels." , the UN Secretary General has criticized.

Precisely, he has said that his proposal for a Climate Solidarity Pact urges the main emitters - which are those that have benefited the most from fossil fuels - to make additional efforts to reduce emissions, and to rich countries to support emerging economies. for them to do it.

For this reason, it has justified that its 'Acceleration Agenda' urges countries to advance rapidly so that developed countries reach "net zero" as close as possible to 2040 and emerging economies, as close as possible to 2050, as well as as well as implementing a fair, equitable and equitable energy transition, while providing affordable electricity for all.

To achieve this, it proposes that OECD countries guarantee "credible" plans to abandon coal in 2030 and in 2040 for the rest of the world; end fossil fuel subsidies, which the IMF estimates will reach a staggering $7 trillion by 2022; and set ambitious renewable energy targets in line with the 1.5 degree limit.

Likewise, he has pointed out that his 'Acceleration Agenda' also demands climate justice and recognizes that many of the poorest nations have every right to be angry.

Therefore, it calls on governments to accelerate so that developed countries reach net zero emissions as close as possible to 2040 and close to 2050 for countries with emerging economies.

Likewise, it has insisted on countries to implement a clean, fair, equitable transition process that provides clean and affordable energy for all.

"My agenda also calls for climate justice," says Guterres, who believes that "many of the poorest nations in the world have the right to be angry": Because they suffer more from the climate crisis than they contributed to creating; angry about financing promises that did not materialize and enduring sky-high credit costs.

"We need a transformation to rebuild trust," he claims.

In this sense, the Secretary General has asked countries to promote a global financing system that supports climate action, which means putting a price on carbon and a renewal of the business model of the multilateral development banks so that they can do leverage to increase private financing at a reasonable cost for developing countries.

In addition, he has said that "all" parties must put the Loss and Damage Fund into operation at COP28. Developed countries must fulfill their financing commitment of $100 billion annually; double adaptation for financing and replenish Green Climate Fund.

And he has also appealed "to everyone" to be covered by the Early Warning System by 2027 through the implementation of the action plan that the UN launched in 2022.

At the same time, the 'Acceleration Agenda' calls on companies and financial institutions to embark on a real path to net zero CO2 emissions.

"Shady promises have betrayed the public's trust.

Shamefully, some companies have even attempted to block the transition to net zero emissions, using wealth and influence to delay, distract and deceive."

Therefore, he believes that any company that is "really serious" must create just transition plans that credibly reduce emissions and provide climate justice, in accordance with the recommendations of the High-Level Expert Group.

"The future of humanity is in your hands. One meeting is not going to change the world, but today can be a powerful moment to generate that moment, in which we build during the coming months. We can and must turn back time" , it is finished.