Guterres says sticking to the facts can end global warming

Stressing the urgent need to end global warming with “real and tangible” facts, the Secretary-General said that the panel’s next report ahead of the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), which will be held in Dubai in November, comes at a pivotal time.

critical point

“Our world is at a crossroads and our planet is in the crossfire,” he said. We are approaching the point of no return, to exceed the internationally agreed limit of 1.5°C for global warming. We have reached a critical threshold.”

The evidence is clear, convincing, and irrefutable.

For decades, the panel, a United Nations body tasked with assessing the science on climate change, has provided clear evidence of how people and the planet are affected by climate destruction. Its new assessment will be the first comprehensive report since the Paris Agreement on climate change, which was adopted in 2015.

“You have built the case, exposing the science of climate change and the urgent need for climate action,” said Mr. Guterres. “The evidence is clear, compelling and irrefutable.”

He said the team’s findings underscore the need for action now. Citing several recent reports from IPCCHe said evidence in 2021 showed for the first time that some changes to Earth’s oceans, ice and Earth’s surface are irreversible.

This report also notes that the changes are “unequivocally” caused by human activity, primarily through the burning of fossil fuels and the creation of unprecedented levels of greenhouse gases.

Progress is possible

Nearly half of the world’s population lives at risk of climate impacts, according to the IPCC 2022 report.

Noting the need for increased investment in adaptation, the report also notes that it is possible to limit global warming to 1.5°C with rapid and deep reductions in emissions across all sectors of the global economy.

“The facts are not in question, but our actions are,” he told the committee. “It’s not too late, as I have shown.”

And as COP28 approaches, he encourages the IPCC to provide leaders with “sound, frank and detailed guidance for making the right decisions for people and planet.”

Leaders must understand the huge consequences of being left behind and the huge benefits of tough but fundamental choices to accelerate the phase-out of fossil fuels and close the emissions gap, move towards a carbon-neutral and renewable future and to ensure climate justice, helping societies adapt and build resilience in the face of compounding impacts.”