Today: 31 May 2025
1 October 2021
2 mins read

Guterres warns world leaders on climate change

Guterres repeated his call to donors and multilateral development banks to allocate at least 50 percent of their climate support towards adaptation and resilience…reports Asian Lite News

“We can either save our world or condemn humanity to a hellish future,” is how the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned the Ministers at the PreCOP26 held at Milan in Italy.

With the UN’s annual climate change talks less than a month away, Ministers from about 50-60 countries have gathered at Milan to develop a better understanding of how to resolve some of the remaining crunch issues ahead of the crucial climate conference in Glasgow in the UK.

Antonio Guterres

Guterres touched upon all aspects of the climate negotiations in his small address at the opening of the PreCOP26 late on Thursday India time, a United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC) statement said. It is the UNFCCC that holds the Conference of Parties (COP) each year.

Applauding those nations, especially vulnerable developing countries, that have come forward with more ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) — actions at country-level that would total to combined actions helping to restrict global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial era — despite the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, Guterres said, “But we can only meet the 1.5-degree goal if all G20 countries, which are responsible for 80 per cent of global emissions, pledge more decisive action in new or updated NDCs.”

“The principle of common but differentiated responsibilities in the light of national circumstances is a pillar of the Paris Agreement,” he said, a point he has reiterated time and again in recent months.

ALSO READ: UK, India to collaborate in climate research

Stating that he cannot “emphasize enough that time is running out,” the Secretary General said, “That is why, I am asking all nations to enhance NDCs and domestic policies as often as necessary and without delay until we are collectively on the right track.”

Coming down heavily on the missing finance for adaptation and mitigation, he said, six years since the Paris Agreement, 2015, “we are nowhere close.”

“Adaptation remains the neglected half of the climate equation, accounting for only 25 per cent of climate finance in support of developing countries. Even worse, adaptation represents only 0.1 per cent of private funding.”

He then repeated his call to donors and multilateral development banks to allocate at least 50 per cent of their climate support towards adaptation and resilience.

Guterres ended with reminding the world how “young people, in particular, continue to lead the growing calls for more ambition. They will hold us accountable” and asserted: “Climate justice demands that we bequeath them a liveable planet.”

Previous Story

Mastercard partners with Lulu Exchange

Next Story

Tajik-Taliban tension rises, beefs up border troops

Latest from -Top News

World needs Dubai’s ambition: Morgan

Piers Morgan has hailed Dubai’s transformation as an example of what visionary leadership can achieve. British broadcaster Piers Morgan has praised the extraordinary ambition and vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin

Mohammed honours football champions

Ruler of Dubai hails players as role models during palace reception His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, received the

Abu Dhabi sets 2050 energy vision

Abu Dhabi unveils AED400 billion energy roadmap, inked climate finance pact ahead of 2026 UN Water Conference Abu Dhabi has unveiled a sweeping strategic framework to transform its energy and water sector

Gargash: UAE’s pragmatism sets regional example

Anwar Gargash says the UAE stands as a beacon of what is possible when pragmatism and vision come together. As political instability, economic fragmentation and rapid technological change continue to reshape the

US flag returns to Damascus

Billions in energy deals and lifted sanctions mark Syria’s reintegration, as US reopens embassy and declares the war-torn nation “open for business” under new regional partnerships. The United States has reopened its
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Experts: New Taxonomy to Standardize Green Bonds

The budget strengthens the regulatory framework to support green housing….reports

India among 19 countries at 13th Abu Dhabi Art Fair

The 13th edition of the Abu Dhabi Art Fair will