At COP30 Leaders’ Summit in Belém, António Guterres warns of moral failure and demands faster global action, stronger finance, and a just transition to limit overshoot beyond 1.5°C.
Belém (Brazil): In a powerful address that resonated with urgency and hope, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres told world leaders at the COP30 Leaders’ Summit in Belém that the next decade must become one of “acceleration and delivery” on climate action.
Describing COP30 as the “COP of truth,” Guterres said the time for half measures had passed, and called on nations to transform words into deeds. “The hard truth is that we have failed to ensure we remain below 1.5 degrees,” he said. “Science now tells us that a temporary overshoot beyond the 1.5 limit – starting at the latest in the early 2030s – is inevitable.”
He warned that even a temporary rise beyond the 1.5°C limit would have dramatic and irreversible consequences for humanity and the planet.
“It could push ecosystems past tipping points, expose billions to unlivable conditions, and amplify threats to peace and security,” Guterres said. “Every fraction of a degree means more hunger, displacement, and loss – especially for those least responsible. This is moral failure – and deadly negligence.”
A Call for a Paradigm Shift
The UN chief urged a “paradigm shift” to limit both the magnitude and duration of the temperature overshoot. He outlined a threefold strategy to make the overshoot small, short, and safe.
“Small – by peaking global emissions immediately; cutting them deeply this decade, accelerating the phase-out of fossil fuels, slashing methane, and safeguarding forests and oceans,” Guterres said.
“Short – by reaching global net zero by 2050 and moving swiftly to sustained net-negative emissions afterwards.”
“Safe – by drastically increasing investments in adaptation and resilience, and delivering Early Warnings for All by 2027.”
He reaffirmed the UN’s steadfast commitment: “The United Nations will not give up on the 1.5 degrees goal,” he declared. “Because another truth is evident: we have never been better equipped to fight back.”
Clean Energy Revolution Underway
Guterres painted an optimistic picture of a global clean energy revolution. “Solar and wind are now the cheapest sources of power – and the fastest growing sources of electricity in history,” he said. “Last year, almost all new power capacity came from renewables.”
He cited the economic momentum driving the transition. “In 2024, investors poured 2 trillion US dollars into clean energy – 800 billion more than fossil fuels,” he said, calling it proof that “clean energy is winning on price, performance, and potential.”
The shift, he noted, is “creating jobs, reshaping geopolitics, delivering energy security and price stability, and connecting millions to clean and affordable energy for the first time.”
Political Courage Missing
Despite the progress, Guterres lamented a “crisis of political courage.”
“Fossil fuels still command vast subsidies – taxpayers’ money,” he said. “Too many corporations are making record profits from climate devastation – with billions spent on lobbying, deceiving the public, and obstructing progress. Too many leaders remain captive to these entrenched interests.”
He also warned that many developing nations are “starved of the resources to adapt – and locked out of the clean energy transition.”
“Too many people are losing hope that their leaders will act,” Guterres said bluntly. “We need to move faster – and move together. This COP must ignite a decade of acceleration and delivery.”
Three Priorities for COP30
Guterres outlined three urgent priorities for leaders gathered in Belém:
1. Closing the NDC Ambition Gap
He urged countries to adopt a bold response plan aligned with the 1.5°C pathway. “Common But Differentiated Responsibilities must apply, but that should not be an excuse for any country not to assume its fair share,” he said.
This includes “supercharging renewables, electrification, and energy efficiency; building modern grids and storage; halting and reversing deforestation by 2030; cutting methane emissions; and setting near-term, 1.5-aligned coal phase-out schedules.”
“No more greenwashing. No loopholes,” he stressed. “We must turn the Dubai commitment to transition away from fossil fuels into action – while supporting low- and middle-income developing countries that are highly dependent on fossil fuels.”
2. Scaling Climate Finance to $1.3 Trillion by 2035
Referring to the pledge made at COP29 in Baku, Guterres demanded credible delivery of climate finance. “Developed countries must take the lead in mobilizing 300 billion dollars annually,” he said.
“It’s no longer time for negotiations. It’s time for implementation, implementation, and implementation,” Guterres said. “Finance must be affordable, predictable, and reflect climate vulnerability – including debt relief.”
3. Advancing Climate Justice and Equity
Calling for a “climate justice package,” the Secretary-General emphasized the need for equity, dignity, and opportunity for developing nations.
“Developing countries must leave Belém equipped with a climate justice package that delivers equity, dignity, and opportunity,” he said. “It means closing the adaptation finance gap, ensuring that developed countries honour their $40 billion pledge by the end of this year, and scaling adaptation finance beyond 2025.”
He underscored the importance of empowering Indigenous Peoples: “Their knowledge and full participation light the path to a livable planet.”
“Choose to Make Belém the Turning Point”
Reaffirming the UN’s continued support, Guterres said the organization’s Climate Promise had already helped over 100 developing nations prepare their new climate commitments.
“The challenge is immense,” he said. “But the choices are clear. No one can bargain with physics. But we can choose to lead – or be led to ruin.”
He concluded with a clarion call:
“Choose to make Belém the turning point. Stand with science. Stand for justice. Stand for future generations.”
(India CSR)
