At Davos, Guterres Slams Backsliding on Climate Commitments
2025-01-22 12:00
Davos, Switzerland – UN Secretary-General António Guterres has delivered a stark warning at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, condemning the backsliding on climate commitments by governments and businesses.
In a speech to the global elite, Guterres said that the world is “far off track” from meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
He pointed to the fact that global greenhouse gas emissions have continued to rise since the Paris Agreement was adopted in 2015, and that many countries are not on track to meet their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which are their plans to reduce emissions.
“We are in a race against time,” Guterres said. “We need to turn things around now, or we will face catastrophic consequences.”
Guterres called on governments to increase their ambition on climate action, and to put in place policies that will accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy. He also urged businesses to take responsibility for their emissions and to invest in sustainable practices.
“The private sector has a critical role to play,” Guterres said. “Businesses have the power to drive innovation, to create jobs, and to make a difference in the fight against climate change.”
The UN Secretary-General’s comments come as the world faces a series of climate-related disasters, including wildfires, floods, and droughts. These events are becoming more frequent and severe, and they are having a devastating impact on communities around the world.
Guterres said that the time for action is now. He called on governments and businesses to work together to build a more sustainable and resilient future for all.
“We cannot afford to wait any longer,” Guterres said. “We need to act now, and we need to act together.”
Additional Information:
- The World Economic Forum is an annual meeting of global leaders from business, government, and civil society. The meeting provides a platform for discussion and debate on critical issues facing the world.
- The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. The goal of the agreement is to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels.
- Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are plans submitted by countries to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). NDCs outline each country’s plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- The private sector has a significant role to play in the fight against climate change. Businesses can reduce their emissions, invest in renewable energy, and develop innovative solutions to climate change.
At Davos, Guterres slams backsliding on climate commitments
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