COP29: ‘Now is the time to fast-track, not backtrack’ on the path to net-zero
November 14, 2024
The United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as COP29, opened in Dubai today with a stark warning from the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, that the world is on the brink of climate catastrophe and that there is no more time to “play games”.
“The science is clear: we are on a highway to climate hell with our foot still on the accelerator,” Guterres told delegates. “We are on the precipice of a climate catastrophe, and we are still acting like sleepwalkers. We must change course now, or we will all pay a terrible price.”
The conference, which brings together governments, businesses, and civil society organizations from around the world, is seen as a critical moment in the fight against climate change. It is the first major climate summit since the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015, which set a goal of limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, and preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels.
However, progress towards this goal has been slow, and emissions continue to rise. The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warned that the world is on track to exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming by 2030, with devastating consequences for people and the planet.
In his opening address, Guterres called on countries to “fast-track, not backtrack” on their commitments to net-zero emissions. He said that this means taking concrete action to reduce emissions in all sectors of the economy, including energy, transport, agriculture, and industry.
“We cannot afford to wait,” Guterres said. “We must act now, with ambition and urgency.”
The conference is expected to focus on a number of key issues, including:
- Finance: Developing countries need significant financial support to transition to a low-carbon economy. Developed countries have pledged to provide $100 billion per year by 2025, but there is a shortfall of around $20 billion per year.
- Adaptation: Developing countries are already experiencing the impacts of climate change, and they need help to adapt to these impacts. This includes building seawalls, improving disaster preparedness, and developing drought-resistant crops.
- Technology: New technologies are essential to reducing emissions and adapting to climate change. This includes renewable energy, energy efficiency, and carbon capture and storage.
The conference is also expected to discuss the issue of “loss and damage.” Developing countries have long argued that they should be compensated for the damage they have suffered as a result of climate change, even if they have not contributed significantly to emissions.
The COP29 conference is scheduled to take place until November 28.
COP29: ‘Now is the time to fast-track, not backtrack’ on the path to net-zero
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