Guterres calls COP31 a moment of truth for climate action
The UN Secretary-General urged world leaders to act immediately as he prepares for his final major climate appeal before leaving office.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called on world leaders to take immediate steps against climate change ahead of the COP31 summit in Turkey. According to the Times of India, the conference is scheduled to take place from November 9 to 20.
Guterres described the upcoming summit as a "moment of truth" and stated that countries can no longer delay action or shift responsibility to others. He noted that everyone must do more now to address global warming.
The UN chief said he was shocked when scientists informed him last year that the 1.5-degree Celsius target from the Paris Agreement is no longer achievable. He attributed the failure to meet this goal to a lack of political leadership rather than the world itself.
Guterres suggested that fossil fuel companies should be taxed on windfall profits to support nations facing the most severe impacts of climate change. He also noted that climate change is intersecting with other global issues, including wars in Ukraine and Iran, and the carbon emissions linked to artificial intelligence.
While acknowledging that the Secretary-General has a voice rather than real power, Guterres highlighted the growth of wind and solar power as a source of hope. His second and final term at the UN concludes in December.