The Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres, warned the G20 heads of State and Government on Tuesday that “the end of the fossil fuel era is inevitable.”
In his speech at the session on sustainable development and energy transition of the G20, the last of the Brazilian presidency at the head of the group of the 20 largest economies in the world, Guterres stressed, however, that it is necessary to guarantee that This end “does not come too late” or unfairly.
The Portuguese official highlighted the fact that Brazil and the United Kingdom, two members of the G20 bloc, have presented new Nationally Determined Contributions, those that each country proposes to reduce GHG (Greenhouse Gas) emissions.
In connection with the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP29, taking place in Baku, António Guterres called on G20 leaders to instruct their negotiators to reach an agreement on climate finance.
“Rapidly and substantially expand climate finance from billions to trillions”summed up the UN Secretary General, stating that it is necessary to limit the increase in global temperature to 1.5°C to “avoid spiraling catastrophes that could ruin all economies.”
According to Guterres, if current policies are followed, a 3ºC increase in global temperatures is expected.
Previously, the Brazilian president called on the heads of state and government of the developed countries of the G20 to “anticipate the objectives of climate neutrality.”
“I propose to the developed members of the G20 that they advance their climate neutrality objectives from 2050 to 2040 or even 2045,” said Lula da Silva at the opening of the second and final day of the G20 summit, which is being held in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro.
“Without assuming their historical responsibilities, rich nations will not have the credibility to demand ambition from others,” he stressed.
In the final declaration, which was expected only this Tuesday afternoon, the last day of the summit held in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, the leaders are “determined to lead ambitious, timely and structural actions” in their national economies ” and in the international financial system with the aim of accelerating and expanding climate action.”
The statement also mentions that countries will encourage each other to meet the goal of “net zero GHG emissions/climate neutrality taking into account the Paris Agreement”, but also “different national circumstances, paths and approaches”.
In addition to the representatives of the full member countries of the group, plus the European Union and the African Union, in Rio de Janeiro there are representatives of 55 countries or international organizations, among them Portugal – a country invited by Brazil -, represented by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro; Angola, represented by its President João Lourenço; and the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries.
The G20 is made up of the world’s main economies. Brazil’s presidency ends at the end of the month, moving to South Africa in December.
Source: Observadora
