COP29 climate talks: Major emitters must address ‘enormous injustice’ against island nations, says UN chief
“You have every right to be angry, and so do I. You are on the brink of a great injustice. It is an injustice to see the future of your islands threatened by rising sea levels; Your people are devastated by record storms; Your economy is shattered,” Mr. Guterres said.
Handle COP29 Summit of Small Island Developing States, one of some high-level events which he is participating in today, the Secretary-General emphasized that the injustices faced by these countries are “perpetrated by a few”.
Indeed, he said, G20 countries account for around 80% of global emissions and called for an end to this injustice.
‘The world must follow you’
“Your country – Small Island Developing Countries – is demonstrating what climate ambition looks like. You are the first responder. The world must follow you. And it must support you,” the UN chief argued as he set out three priorities:
Firstly: No effort is spared to maintain the 1.5 C target, with the largest emitters – the G20 – leading the way. That means global emissions will fall by 9% every year until 2030. That means phasing out fossil fuels – quickly and equitably – and doing so on COP28 result. And it means every country introducing new policies for the entire economy national climate action plan – or NDC – according to COP30, in line with the 1.5 degrees Celsius target.
Monday: take a path towards justice to provide support to help small island states cope with climate shocks. This means ensuring significant contributions to Loss and damage fund – so it can have a meaningful impact in places ravaged by climate change.
Tuesday: carry out the goal of Pact for the future – adopted by consensus at the United Nations General Assembly at a peak last September – called for reforms to the international financial architecture, including effective debt relief and committed countries to promoting a Sustainable development goals (SDG) Stimulus of USD 500 billion per year.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres speaks at the Small Island Developing States Summit at COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan.
‘Demand your justice’
“We must accelerate the implementation of these commitments. Start here and now,” Mr. Guterres said, calling for a new climate finance target to be agreed at COP29, which takes into account the situation of small island developing states and allows for the mobilization of billions of dollars. trillion dollars in financing that developing countries need – with a significant increase in concessional public funding.
“That goal must clearly show how money will be raised; exploiting innovative sources, such as taxes on aviation, shipping, and fossil fuel extraction; and includes an accessibility, transparency and accountability framework to create confidence that funds will be distributed and available,” he explains.
Speaking directly to small island leaders, the Secretary-General said: “At this COP and beyond, I call on you to: Use your moral authority to demand action. Demand leadership. And demand your justice.”
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