The UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell, has issued an urgent call to action as world leaders gather in Dubai for the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
In his opening remarks at the COP28 plenary, Stiell warned that the world is “on the brink of climate catastrophe” and that “we need to act now, and with unprecedented urgency, to avert a climate disaster.”
“The science is clear: we are running out of time to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius,” Stiell said. “We need to cut global emissions in half by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050.”
Stiell called on world leaders to “accelerate climate action” by:
- Ambitiously reducing greenhouse gas emissions
- Providing adequate finance for climate action
- Building resilience to climate change impacts
- Adapting to the impacts of climate change that are already happening
“We can still avoid the worst impacts of climate change, but we need to act now,” Stiell said. “We need to make a fundamental shift in our relationship with the planet. We need to move from a fossil fuel-based economy to a clean, renewable energy economy.”
Stiell’s call to action comes as the world faces a number of climate-related crises, including extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and mass displacement.
COP28 is seen as a crucial opportunity for world leaders to make progress on climate action. The conference is taking place in Dubai from November 30 to December 12.
Key priorities for COP28
In addition to the urgent call to action, Stiell also outlined a number of key priorities for COP28. These include:
- Accelerating the implementation of the Paris Agreement
- Addressing loss and damage from climate change
- Enhancing climate finance
- Supporting the most vulnerable countries
“COP28 must be a moment of action and transformation,” Stiell said. “We need to leave Dubai with concrete commitments to reduce emissions, build resilience, and address loss and damage.”
World leaders must heed the call to action
World leaders have a responsibility to heed the call to action and take urgent action on climate change. The future of our planet depends on it.