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UN Secretary-General António Guterres had a stark message at climate summit COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Tuesday. He described 2024 as a ‘master class in climate destruction’.
Guterres described the dire consequences of man-made climate change: hurricanes, extreme heat, devastating floods and widespread hunger due to drought. Stressing that no country is immune, Guterres warned of the economic consequences of disrupted global supply chains and urged immediate action.
He called for three main priorities: emergency emissions reductions led by G20 countries, protection for vulnerable communities requiring hundreds of billions of dollars, and securing at least $1 trillion a year in climate finance.
Guterres stressed that developing countries face serious obstacles – such as high debt and financing costs – and urged richer countries to reach a substantial agreement before the end of COP29.
Guterres also called for innovative financing, such as levies on shipping, aviation and fossil fuel extraction, stating that ‘polluters must pay’. He concluded that climate finance is an essential investment, not charity, to ensure a livable world for future generations.
