Governments need to Pick Up the Pace – UN Chief (“Racing to a Better World” #COP26) | Climate Action

Sources United Nations

 

Media www.rajawalisiber.com – Opening remarks by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, on ‘Racing to a Better World’ at #COP26. ”

(…) This event – perhaps like no other at COP 26 – underscores a core truth:

The climate action struggle requires all hands on deck.

It is everyone’s responsibility. And you are showing the way.

I am inspired by the mobilization of civil society … by the moral voice of young people keeping our feet to the fire … by the dynamism and example of indigenous communities … by the tireless engagement of women’s groups … by the action of more and more cities around the world … by a growing consciousness as the private sector aligns balance sheets and investment decisions around net zero.

I thank the High-Level Climate Action Champions, Gonzalo Muñoz and Nigel Topping and so many others for your efforts.

You are indeed “racing to a better world”.

Governments need to pick up the pace and show the necessary ambition on mitigation, adaptation and finance in a balanced way.

We cannot settle for the lowest common denominator.

We know what must be done.

Keeping the 1.5 goal within reach means reducing emissions globally by 45 per cent by 2030.

But the present set of Nationally Determined Contributions — even if fully implemented — will still increase emissions by 2030.

According to the latest joint analysis of the Nationally Determined Contributions by UNEP and UNFCCC, we remain on a catastrophic temperature rise track well above 2 degrees Celsius.

So net-zero pledges require rapid, sustained emissions cuts this decade.

I welcome the recognition of this fact in yesterday’s US-China cooperation agreement — that I consider an important step in the right direction.

But promises ring hollow when the fossil fuels industry still receives trillions in subsidies, as measured by the IMF.

Or when countries are still building coal plants.

Or when carbon is still without a price – distorting markets and investors’ decisions.

Every country, every city, every company, every financial institution must radically, credibly and verifiably reduce their emissions and decarbonize their portfolios starting now.

(…)

We need even more ambition in future revised Nationally Determined Contributions.

We need pledges to be implemented.

We need commitments to turn concrete.

We need actions to be verified. We need to bridge the deep and real credibility gap.

As an engineer, I know that durable structures need solid foundations. We must be able to measure progress and to adjust when off track.

We have a critical mass of global commitments to net-zero, from both governments and non-state actors.

We must now zoom in on the quality and implementation of plans. On measuring and analyzing. On reporting, transparency and accountability.

That is why – beyond the mechanisms already set out in the Paris Agreement – I have decided to establish a High-Level Expert Group to propose clear standards to measure and analyze net zero commitments from non-state actors.

This High-Level Expert group will build on existing work and submit a series of recommendations to me during the course of next year.

They will work in a transparent and inclusive manner, and I invite you all to cooperate fully in their establishment and then with them.

We need action if commitments are to pass the credibility test.

We need to hold each other accountable — governments, non-state actors and the civil society.

Because only together can we keep 1.5 degrees within reach and the equitable and resilient world we need.

Thank you for your commitment and your dedication to this, that is the most important fight of our lives.” [Excerpt]

In this High-Level Event, the UN High-Level Climate Champions alongside the Secretary General will outline the plan for the next five years for non-state actors to shift gear from ambition to implementation. Leaders across the real economy will demonstrate how they are stepping up to turn this vision into reality, giving confidence to national governments that the just transition is technologically possible, economically viable and socially beneficial.

The United Kingdom will host the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow on 31 October – 12 November 2021. The COP26 summit will bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

World leaders are expected to put forward high level ambition and action towards securing global net zero and keeping 1.5 degrees in reach; adapting to protect communities and natural habitats; and mobilising finance.

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