The UN Advocates ForUN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in a passionate plea on Monday, called for a collective commitment at COP28 to gradually eliminate the use of fossil fuels.
He urged negotiators to exhibit flexibility during the final hours of the climate summit, emphasizing the critical need for swift action.
With less than a day remaining before the scheduled conclusion of the summit in Dubai, Guterres returned and cautioned that substantial gaps still hindered the attainment of a consensus.
In a press briefing, he stressed the urgency of the situation, stating, “We are in a race against time.”
“Now is the time for maximum ambition and maximum flexibility,” Guterres urged, adding, “It’s time to go into overdrive to negotiate in good faith.”
As a strong advocate for addressing climate issues, Guterres called upon negotiators to prioritize addressing the root cause of the climate crisis – the production and consumption of fossil fuels.
Expressing a bold stance, he urged the summit to acknowledge “the need to phase out all fossil fuels,” a position challenged by oil-producing nations, notably led by Saudi Arabia.
In his call for flexibility, Guterres emphasized the importance of considering the concerns of fossil fuel producers.
He acknowledged that not all countries share the same immediate responsibility in this transition.
“It doesn’t mean that all countries must phase out fossil fuels at the same time,” clarified Guterres.
“But it means that globally, the phase-out of fossil fuels needs to be compatible with net zero in 2050 and with the limit of 1.5 degrees in temperature rise above pre-industrial levels,” he asserted.
In essence, the UN Chief’s plea encapsulates the pressing need for decisive action to address the climate crisis by gradually moving away from fossil fuels, while also recognizing the diverse responsibilities and challenges faced by nations in this endeavor.
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