Washington DC, 20/12: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday announced that he will convene a “no-nonsense” climate ambition summit in September next year where countries will have to come with credible and new action plans, with no room for “back-sliders”, “blame-shifters” or repackaging of announcements of previous years.
Addressing journalists at his end of year press conference here, Guterres said climate change is an area where good news can be hard to find.
“We are still moving in the wrong direction. The global emissions gap is growing. The 1.5-degree goal is gasping for breath. National climate plans are falling woefully short,” he said.
Guterres said that going forward, he will keep pushing for a Climate Solidarity Pact, in which all big emitters make an extra effort to reduce emissions this decade in line with the 1.5-degree goal and ensure support for those who need it. “There is no doubt that without it, the 1.5-degree goal will soon disappear. I have pulled no punches on the imperative for all of us to confront this existential threat,” he said.