UNEP chief calls for concrete actions at COP29 To combat climate change

Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), urged countries to move beyond “empty talk” and focus on making concrete decisions at the upcoming COP29 summit in Baku.

In her commentary on UNEP's 2024 report, Andersen emphasized that the global community has the necessary resources to prevent catastrophic global warming but requires the political will to end dependence on fossil fuels, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

“Countries must accelerate action now, demonstrate a massive increase in ambition, and urgently implement policies and concrete measures. Otherwise, the 1.5°C target will be unattainable,” she warned. To achieve this target cost-effectively, emissions must be reduced by 42 per cent by 2030 compared to 2019 levels.

With greenhouse gas emissions reaching an all-time high of 57.1 gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2023, Andersen stated that limiting global warming to 1.5°C will require annual emission reductions of 7.5 per cent until 2035. “Now is the time to keep our promises—it's time for decisive climate action,” she stressed.

She affirmed that the 1.5°C goal remains achievable, prioritizing the increased use of alternative energy sources, forest protection, and accelerating the energy transition in the building, transportation, and industrial sectors.

“To achieve results, we need a whole-of-government approach that maximizes socio-economic and environmental co-benefits while minimizing trade-offs, along with at least a sixfold increase in mitigation investment. G20 members, especially the largest emitters, will need to bear the brunt of this responsibility as they dominate the global economy,” she added.

Andersen concluded by highlighting the necessity for unprecedented global mobilization.

“So I appeal to all countries: stop the empty talk. Use COP29 in Baku to intensify action now, pave the way for much stronger national emission reduction commitments (NDCs), and work diligently to stay on track to meet the 1.5°C target by 2030,” she urged.

By Vafa Guliyeva