UN chief demands global efforts to protect populations from climate extremes

As the climate crisis intensifies, urgent action is required to combat its devastating effects, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned.

In a post on X page, Guterres stressed the critical need for early warning systems and measures to protect people from extreme heat, which he described as no longer a luxury, but an absolute necessity, Caliber.Az reports.

He further urged world leaders to ramp up efforts to safeguard populations as the climate crisis accelerates.

In this era of climate catastrophe, early warning systems and protection from extreme heat are not luxuries. They are necessities.

As the climate crisis accelerates, so must we.

At #COP29 I told world leaders that together we can and must protect people around the globe.

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) November 13, 2024

Moreover, at the Leaders' Summit of the Small Islands Developing States on Climate Change in Baku, Guterres emphasised the urgent threat rising sea levels pose to small island nations. He described these nations as facing a "colossal injustice," as their economies and development gains are being destroyed, despite their minimal contribution to global emissions. Guterres highlighted that G20 nations, which account for 80% of global emissions, must take the lead in addressing the climate crisis.

He called for a global commitment to achieving the 1.5-degree target, which requires reducing emissions by 9% annually until 2030 and phasing out fossil fuels. Every country must submit updated climate action plans to COP30 in line with this goal, with the G20 leading the way.

Guterres also stressed the need for greater support for small island nations, who bear the brunt of the crisis they did not cause. He called for significant contributions to the Loss and Damage Fund and for developed countries to fulfil their pledge to double adaptation financing to at least $40 billion annually by next year.

Additionally, he called for reforms to the international financial system to mobilise more funding for climate action, particularly for developing nations.

By Aghakazim Guliyev