UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the screens of the UN Climate Conference in Baku. UN chief at COP29: ‘Now is the time to accelerate, not retreat’ on the path to net zero emissions Climate and environment
Cities, regions, businesses and financial institutions have a major role to play in the global effort to reach net zero emissions by mid-century, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at a meeting with non-governmental organizations on Thursday during the UN Climate Conference (COP29) in Baku.
“We need a massive global effort to set our world on a safe path. You are on the front lines helping consumers, investors and regulators understand what a credible effort to reach net zero looks like,” the UN chief said.
As extreme weather events wreak havoc around the world and efforts to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius face obstacles, Guterres convened a high-level meeting with non-state partners to highlight the importance of their action on key recommendations published in a report he presented at COP27 in 2022.
Zero Emissions
The Integrity Matters report sets out 10 recommendations that provide practical guidance on how to get to net zero, detailing what non-state actors must consider at every step of the way.
It’s about striking a balance between the amount of greenhouse gas produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere. This requires cooperation between businesses, financial institutions and other entities, in addition to the efforts of governments.
“Accelerate, not retreat”
At a meeting on Thursday, the Secretary-General thanked non-governmental actors for taking the lead in global efforts to reach net zero emissions, but said: “We now need others to follow suit.”
First, he called on delegates to set clear plans for next year’s COP30 to meet the 1.5 degree Celsius target and to report every five years on progress towards net zero emissions by 2050.
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“They must set a course for phasing out fossil fuels that is based on science. They must ensure disclosure of lobbying and policy engagement. And they must include a commitment to deep decarbonization across the value chain,” Guterres said.
He also stressed that any such plans should not rely on dubious offsetting schemes, including so-called indirect Scope 3 emissions, which are generated, for example, when purchasing goods and services, business travel or disposing of waste.
“Now is the time to accelerate, not retreat. This is the time for ambition and transparency, not greenwashing,” he said.
Cooperation with governments
Guterres called for a move from voluntary promises to mandatory rules. “The future of humanity is at stake. Action cannot be optional. “Disclosing credible transition plans that are consistent with 1.5 degrees should be mandatory for corporations and financial institutions,” the UN chief stressed.
The secretary-general also called on businesses, financial institutions, cities, regions and other stakeholders to work with governments on national climate action plans (NDCs) to be developed by COP30.
“We must ensure that governments facilitate the work of others in this regard, rather than making it harder for others to achieve the 1.5 degree goal,” the UN chief said.
Guterres is also meeting with climate scientists and civil society representatives, including young climate activists, on Thursday.