COP31: UN chief urges faster transition away from fossil fuels
UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres has called on countries to accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, urging global emissions cuts of at least six per cent annually in the coming years.
Deputy spokesperson for Mr Guterres, Farhan Haq, said on Tuesday in New York that the UN chief also stressed the importance of building cleaner, more secure economies that are less exposed to shocks.
Mr Guterres is in Antalya, Türkiye, attending the 31st U.N. Climate Change Conference, COP 31, which opened on Monday.
Mr Guterres addressed the COP30 Presidency Roadmap for Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels in Energy Systems in a Just, Orderly and Equitable Manner in the morning.
The UN chief said that fossil fuels were not only driving the climate crisis; dependence on them carries a steep economic and security price, as the crisis in the Middle East has laid bare.
In the afternoon, the secretary-general held a bilateral meeting with Türkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
They exchanged views on the global efforts to tackle climate change and working collaboratively towards robust outcomes at COP31.
Messrs Erdogan and Guterres also discussed several regional and global issues, including the war in Ukraine, the conflict in the Middle East, Libya and Cyprus.
Mr Guterres also met with China’s Vice-President Han Zheng. The duo discussed the importance of working collaboratively to secure a robust and credible set of COP31 outcomes that address gaps in mitigation, finance and adaptation.
Mr Guterres also met with the Youth Advisory Group and participated in a roundtable with youth. He said that he strongly believes that young people must not be seen simply as beneficiaries – they must be actors and leaders in the climate debate.
He called on young people to help close the gap between these conferences and their communities, and to help spread the science online, where disinformation spreads fastest.
Mr Guterres also met with a group of climate scientists. He heard their views on the latest developments in climate science, finance and the energy transition, as well as key policy priorities for COP31 and beyond.
No fewer than 90,000 people are expected in Antalya as pressure mounts to deliver on climate promises. The summit is set to close on November 20.
(NAN)
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