'Change course now': humanity has missed 1.5C climate target, says UN head
6 months ago
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- #climate-change
- #indigenous-rights
- UN Secretary General António Guterres warns that humanity has failed to limit global heating to 1.5°C, leading to inevitable overshoot with devastating consequences.
- Guterres urges leaders at the upcoming Cop30 summit in Belém, Brazil, to act swiftly to cut emissions and avoid catastrophic tipping points in ecosystems like the Amazon, Arctic, and oceans.
- Only 62 out of 197 nations have submitted their climate action plans (NDCs), with major emitters like the US, Europe, and China falling short of commitments.
- Current NDCs project a 10% emissions reduction, far below the 60% needed to stay within 1.5°C, making overshoot inevitable but still reversible with urgent action.
- Guterres calls for rebalancing representation at climate summits to prioritize Indigenous communities and civil society over corporate lobbyists.
- He emphasizes the economic self-interest in transitioning from fossil fuels, citing the renewables revolution and the inevitable decline of oil and gas.
- Brazil’s Cop30 initiative includes the Tropical Forests Forever Facility, aiming to raise $125 billion for forest protection, with 20% directly benefiting Indigenous communities.
- Guterres highlights the critical role of Indigenous voices in climate governance, praising their stewardship of nature and advocating for their leadership in educating policymakers.
- Despite challenges, he defends the Cop system as essential to avoid a chaotic, unequal response to climate disasters.
- In his final year as UN chief, Guterres reaffirms his commitment to climate action, biodiversity, and supporting global democratic movements for nature conservation.