21-9-2023 (NEW YORK) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and leaders from climate-vulnerable nations are urging policymakers worldwide to phase out climate-warming fossil fuels. During a climate summit at the UN General Assembly, Guterres criticized big polluters for their insufficient efforts to address global warming, warning that time is running out due to the “naked greed” of fossil fuel interests. The summit served as a precursor to the upcoming two-week UN climate summit, COP28, scheduled to begin on November 29 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Guterres emphasized the urgency of transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy, stating that although progress is being made, it is far behind. He called for swift action to make up for lost time caused by foot-dragging, arm-twisting, and the profit-driven motives of entrenched fossil fuel industries.
Leaders from 34 countries, including Brazil, Canada, Pakistan, South Africa, and Tuvalu, were invited to speak at the summit in recognition of their strong commitment to addressing climate change. Some leaders criticized the fossil fuel industry and the continued reliance on oil, gas, and coal, while others highlighted the need for financial reforms to enhance funding accessibility for developing nations.
President David Kabua of the Marshall Islands, a nation facing the threat of rising sea levels, described his government’s struggles in preparing for a warmer world. He stressed that bold actions by his country alone would not be sufficient and called out major emitters for their failure to make necessary decisions.
Notably absent from the list of speakers were the world’s top polluters, the United States and China. Some climate campaigners expressed concerns about the slow progress leading up to COP28, emphasizing the need for a significant shift in political will in the coming months.
Kenyan President William Ruto proposed the creation of a universal tax on fossil fuel trades, levies on aviation and maritime emissions, and financial transactions to generate trillions of dollars. He emphasized that Africa and the developing world do not require charity from developed countries but rather a fair and sustainable financial system.
California Governor Gavin Newsom highlighted his state’s leadership in implementing climate policies, such as banning the sale of new gas engine vehicles by 2035. He criticized the oil industry for obstructing climate action, receiving applause from heads of state and other attendees.
Brazilian Environment Minister Marina Silva announced that Brazil would raise its emission reduction target to 50-53% below 2005 levels by 2030, reflecting a change in direction from President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin stated that his country had increased its emission reduction target to 40% below business-as-usual projections by 2030 and established a climate change ministry.
Although the United Arab Emirates did not discuss its national climate plans at the summit, COP28 President Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber expressed optimism about the world’s ability to meet the goal of limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. He called for a global response to reduce emissions and get back on track toward achieving the targets set in the Paris Agreement.
The need for finance was a significant focus of the summit. Barbados’s Prime Minister Mia Mottley called for serious consideration of climate financing, arguing that the climate crisis poses a greater threat than the war in Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the importance of meeting the target of mobilizing $100 billion per year in climate finance. The UN’s Green Climate Fund announced its goal of capitalizing at least $50 billion by 2030 and shifting its focus from one-off projects to systemic transformation.
Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, urged countries to end fossil fuel subsidies, which reached a record $7 trillion last year despite a global pledge to phase them out. The summit concluded with a call to action for governments, financial institutions, and nations worldwide to take significant steps towards phasing out fossil fuels and addressing the pressing challenges of climate change.
