Current:Home > reviewsUN secretary-general has urged the Group of 20 leaders to send a strong message on climate change -DollarDynamic
UN secretary-general has urged the Group of 20 leaders to send a strong message on climate change
View
Date:2025-04-18 02:47:31
NEW DELHI (AP) — U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday urged the Group of 20 top economic powers, which are responsible for more than 80% of the emissions that cause global warming, to use their weekend summit to send a strong message on climate change.
Guterres said all licensing or funding for new fossil fuel projects should be stopped and that the G20 must keep the “1.5-degree goal alive,” referring to the 2015 Paris climate agreement that set 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) as a global guardrail in atmospheric warming, with countries pledging to try to prevent that much long-term warming if possible.
Earlier this year, the U.N. weather agency had said that there’s a two-out-of-three chance that the world will temporarily hit a key warming limit within the next five years.
July 2023 was Earth’s hottest month on record by a wide margin.
Climate ministers of the G20 nations ended their last meeting for the year in July without resolving major disagreements on climate policies.
“The climate crisis is worsening dramatically — but the collective response is lacking in ambition, credibility, and urgency,” Guterres said at a news conference at the U.N. office in New Delhi.
India’s priorities for the G20 summit include efforts to develop alternative fuels like hydrogen, resource efficiency and reforming development banks like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund to help make funds more accessible for lower- and middle-income countries as they seek solutions to combat climate change.
Guterres called on big emitters to make additional efforts to cut emissions and rich countries to meet the climate finance commitments made already.
“If we are indeed one global family,” the U.N. chief said, referring to India’s theme for the meetings, ”we today resemble a rather dysfunctional one.”
As leaders gathered for the weekend summit, Russia’s war on Ukraine threatened to dominate the talks, with its effect on food and energy security along with other global implications.
Guterres said with the problems facing the world, now was the time for countries to work together, saying “we have no time to lose.”
“Divisions are growing, tensions are flaring up, and trust is eroding — which together raise the specter of fragmentation, and ultimately, confrontation,” he said.
“This fracturing would be deeply concerning in the best of times, but in our times, it spells catastrophe.”
On Friday, the United Nations also released a technical report that assesses where various countries stand in their efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
The report said that global emissions aren’t in line with climate goals and that “there is a rapidly narrowing window to raise ambition and implement existing commitments in order to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above preindustrial levels.”
Guterres asked nations that are part of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development to aim to reach net zero emissions of greenhouse gases by 2040 and for emerging economies to reach the same goal by 2050.
Energy analysts say its crucial that G20 leaders act on the U.N. chief’s suggestions.
“Phasing fossil fuels out is going to be a crucial, messy, and unavoidable fight. But it’s one that leaders need to have. And have it now,” said Madhura Joshi, energy analyst at the climate think tank E3G.
Joshi who has been closely following the climate policy discussions at the G20 gatherings added, “In the midst of raging climate impacts, the world needs G20 leaders to move beyond their differences and agree to an ambitious and equitable agenda of action this decade.”
___
Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about AP’s climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
veryGood! (6)
Related
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- Cardi B Debuts New Look in First Public Appearance Since Giving Birth to Baby No. 3
- Climate change destroyed an Alaska village. Its residents are starting over in a new town
- Adam Brody Shares His Surprising Take on an O.C. Revival
- All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
- Rudy Giuliani disbarred in DC after pushing Trump’s false 2020 election claims
- Nikki Garcia’s Sister Brie Alludes to “Lies” After Update in Artem Chigvintsev Domestic Violence Case
- Kane Brown's Most Adorable Dad Moments Are Guaranteed to Make Your Heart Sing
- Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
- Gil Ramirez remains on 'Golden Bachelorette' as Joan hits senior prom. Who left?
Ranking
- A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
- Dancing With The Stars’ Carrie Ann Inaba Slams Anna Delvey Over “Dismissive” Exit
- Appeals court hears arguments in fight between 2 tribes over Alabama casino built on ‘sacred’ land
- En busca de soluciones para los parques infantiles donde el calor quema
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Watch a toddler's pets get up close and snuggly during nap time
- Get your Narcan! Old newspaper boxes are being used to distribute overdose reversal drug
- CDC: Tenth death reported in listeria outbreak linked to Boar's Head meats
Recommendation
How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
How many points did Caitlin Clark score today? Rookie season ends with WNBA playoffs loss
Utah Supreme Court to decide viability of a ballot question deemed ‘counterfactual’ by lower court
Will Hurricane Helene impact the Georgia vs. Alabama football game? Here's what we know
2 killed, 3 injured in shooting at makeshift club in Houston
'Scamerton': This Detroit Bridgerton ball went so bad, it's being compared to Fyre Fest
Tommy John surgery is MLB's necessary evil 50 years later: 'We created this mess'
Pregnant Brittany Mahomes Shares “Best Picture” Ever Taken of Husband Patrick and Son Bronze