UN chief Antonio Guterres has said that climate change is “undeniable” and urged world leaders to “stay the course” even if a government “doubts” the need for the historic Paris deal, in a possible reference to US President Donald Trump who has vowed to withdraw from the deal. In his first major speech on climate change since assuming charge as the head of the UN this January, Guterres bluntly warned the international community that the “world is in a mess” and the impact of climate change could affect food production, water security and weather patterns “from Canada to India.”
“Yes, not everyone will move at the same pace or with equal vigour. But if any government doubts the global will and need for this accord, that is reason for all others to unite even stronger and stay the course. It is reason to build ever broader coalitions — with civil society and business, with cities and states, with academia and community leaders,” he told students, business leaders and academics at the New York University Stern School of Business yesterday.
The secretary-general’s speech comes as Trump this week decides if the US – the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases after China – will adhere to the emissions cut layed out in the 2015 Paris climate agreement. The US president has previously vowed to abandon the deal reached during the tenure of his predecessor Barack Obama. Trump, who has called climate change “a hoax” on occasion, had shrugged off pressure from US allies during the G7 summit in Sicily last week, putting him at odds with other members of the grouping of developed nations. He said he will take a decision on the Paris climate agreement this week.
While Guterres did not mention the Trump administration in his speech, but responding to a question from the audience later, he said the UN believes “it would be important for the US not to leave the Paris agreement” and even if Trump withdraws, “it’s very important for the US society as a whole — the cities, the states, the companies, the businesses — to remain engaged” with the climate agreement.
Highlighting the seriousness of the impact of climate change, Guterres said the effects of climate change were dangerous and they were accelerating. “And so my argument today is that it is absolutely essential that the world implements the Paris agreement – and that we fulfil that duty with increased ambition. The reason is three-fold: Climate change is undeniable. Climate action is unstoppable. And climate solutions provide opportunities that are unmatchable,” he said.
The Paris climate deal calls on countries to combat climate change and to accelerate and intensify the actions and investments needed for a sustainable low carbon future, and to adapt to the increasing impacts of climate change. It also aims to strengthen the ability of countries to deal with the impacts of climate change and calls for scaled up financial flows, a new technology framework and an enhanced capacity-building framework to support action by developing countries and the most vulnerable countries in line with their own national objectives.
“Some may seek to portray the response to climate change as a fundamental threat to the economy. Yet, what we are witnessing in these early years of a systemic response is the opposite. We are seeing new industries. New markets. Healthier environments. More jobs. Less dependency on global supply chains of fossil fuels,” he said.
Guterres listed nations around the world which are embracing green technologies, saying they will set the gold standard for economic leadership in the 21st century. “The falling cost of renewables is one of the most encouraging stories on the planet today,” he said adding that in the US and China, new renewable energy jobs now outstrip those created in the oil and gas industries.
China aims to increase its renewable energy by about 40 per cent by 2020 while industry experts predict India’s solar capacity will double this year to 18 gigawatts. Major oil producers are also seeing the future and diversifying their economies, even Saudi Arabia announcing plans to install 700 megawatts of solar and wind power.
“The real danger is not the threat to one’s economy that comes from acting. It is, instead, the risk to one’s economy by failing to act. The message is simple: The sustainability train has left the station. Get on board or get left behind,” he said.
Laying out a five-point action plan to mobilise the world for climate action, the UN chief said he will intensify political engagement with countries to increase efforts to limit temperature rise to well below 2 degree-Celsius and as close as possible to 1.5 degree-Celsius, the first point.
He also said that he would engage more with major actors – the coal, oil and gas industries – to accelerate the global transition to sustainable energy, and committed stronger support to governments as they strive to meet climate commitments and achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals. “That is where true change will be achieved,” he said. The UN chief added that he will work with UN member-states to mobilise national and international resources for adaptation and implementation of national climate action plans.
Source:PTI
