UN
Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, the global
response to the climate crisis is pivotal in turning the COVID-19 recovery into
a real opportunity to do things right for the future.
According
to him, we are all living through a global crisis like no other as the COVID-19
pandemic continues its march of suffering and death around the
world.
“The
unfolding climate crisis starkly illustrates the stakes and the imperative for
that action,” he told students of Tsinghua University. “It is a health
crisis… an economic crisis… a social crisis… a human crisis”.
The
COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare severe and systemic inequalities both within
and between countries and communities.
More broadly, it has underscored the world’s fragilities – not just in the face of an epic health emergency, but in our faltering response to the climate crisis, lawlessness in cyberspace, and the risks of nuclear proliferation.
It is obvious that the only way to recover better is by working together. But that is also far from guaranteed.
“Done right, we can steer the recovery toward a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable path and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change,” said Mr. Guterres. “But poorly coordinated policies risk locking in – or even worsening – already unsustainable inequalities, reversing hard-won development gains and poverty reduction, and a high emissions future”.
More broadly, it has underscored the world’s fragilities – not just in the face of an epic health emergency, but in our faltering response to the climate crisis, lawlessness in cyberspace, and the risks of nuclear proliferation.
It is obvious that the only way to recover better is by working together. But that is also far from guaranteed.
“Done right, we can steer the recovery toward a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable path and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change,” said Mr. Guterres. “But poorly coordinated policies risk locking in – or even worsening – already unsustainable inequalities, reversing hard-won development gains and poverty reduction, and a high emissions future”.
The
UN boss has asked all countries to consider six climate positive actions as
they rescue, rebuild and reset their economies.
First, we need to make our societies more resilient and ensure a just transition.
Second, we need green jobs and sustainable growth.
Third, bailouts of industry, aviation and shipping should be conditional on aligning with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Fourth, we need to stop wasting money on fossil fuel subsidies and the funding of coal.
There is no such thing as clean coal, and coal should have no place in any rationale recovery plan. It is deeply concerning that new coal power plants are still being planned and financed, even though renewables offer three times more jobs, and are now cheaper than coal in most countries.
Fifth, we need to consider climate risk in all decision-making. Every financial decision must take account of environmental and social impacts.
This is more important than ever in the coming months as companies, investors and countries make far-reaching financial decisions about the future.
We need investors to demand that companies reveal transition plans to reach net zero emissions. The equation should be simple: zero plans will yield zero investment.
Sixth, we need to work together. Global challenges require global solutions.
First, we need to make our societies more resilient and ensure a just transition.
Second, we need green jobs and sustainable growth.
Third, bailouts of industry, aviation and shipping should be conditional on aligning with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Fourth, we need to stop wasting money on fossil fuel subsidies and the funding of coal.
There is no such thing as clean coal, and coal should have no place in any rationale recovery plan. It is deeply concerning that new coal power plants are still being planned and financed, even though renewables offer three times more jobs, and are now cheaper than coal in most countries.
Fifth, we need to consider climate risk in all decision-making. Every financial decision must take account of environmental and social impacts.
This is more important than ever in the coming months as companies, investors and countries make far-reaching financial decisions about the future.
We need investors to demand that companies reveal transition plans to reach net zero emissions. The equation should be simple: zero plans will yield zero investment.
Sixth, we need to work together. Global challenges require global solutions.
It
is imperative that G20 countries lead by example.
All G20 countries have also been asked to lead the green recovery, commit to net zero emissions before 2050 and to submit more ambitious national climate plans to the Paris Agreement before COP 26 in Glasgow next year.
Mr. Guterres said unity and solidarity for action is needed more than ever, emphasizing that young people have been humanity’s greatest asset in the struggle against climate change.
“Your voices, your determination, your collective purchasing power are all essential to hold governments and corporations to account,” he said.
By Kofi Adu Domfeh
All G20 countries have also been asked to lead the green recovery, commit to net zero emissions before 2050 and to submit more ambitious national climate plans to the Paris Agreement before COP 26 in Glasgow next year.
Mr. Guterres said unity and solidarity for action is needed more than ever, emphasizing that young people have been humanity’s greatest asset in the struggle against climate change.
“Your voices, your determination, your collective purchasing power are all essential to hold governments and corporations to account,” he said.
By Kofi Adu Domfeh
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