António Guterres warns of impending climate catastrophe
- António Guterres emphasizes the underestimated risks of climate change leading to severe consequences.
- He calls for urgent cooperation on interconnected environmental crises ahead of COP29 in Baku.
- Guterres concludes that without political will to phase out fossil fuels, the world risks catastrophic outcomes.
On the eve of COP29 in Baku, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concern over the global neglect of climate risks and the potential for irreversible climate breakdown. He noted that the world is on track to exceed the 1.5°C increase in temperature over pre-industrial levels due to escalating global heating, necessitating urgent action. Guterres emphasized the importance of tackling both climate change and biodiversity loss simultaneously to prevent reaching critical tipping points. Discussions at COP29 will focus on financial commitments to support climate action, particularly from economically robust nations. He warned that without a clear commitment to phase out fossil fuels, the world may face dire consequences, and the existing ambiguity in climate texts leads to justifications for inaction among the worst offenders.