The United Nations climate summit, COP26, has opened with diplomats and politicians calling for more actions and commitments to curb greenhouse emissions and adapt to the impacts of a warming planet.
UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, told the COP26 World Leader’s Summit on Monday in Glasgow that they should set out ambitious actions on climate emergency.
He said they should set out ambitious target to reduce emissions, scale-up adaptation and mobilise finance, and to signal their commitment to ensuring that COP26 kept 1.5°C in reach.
Addressing the conference’s preliminary opening on Sunday, Abdulla Shahid, the President of the UN General Assembly called for an honest look at where things stand.
“We have had decades to argue the facts about climate change, about the power of renewables, about the fine details of monitoring or cost-sharing. Yet, we have still failed to act with the conviction and determination required.
“That may be a hard truth, but it is the truth. And yet, another truth: we are entirely capable of turning this around, if we so choose.
“We have the science. We have the resources. We agree on the urgency. We have run out of excuses. It is time to do the right thing. Let us work together…and get this done,” Shahid stated.
Meanwhile, Patricia Espinosa, the Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change (UNFCCC), said the world was on track for a global temperature rise of 2.7C – far from the agreed 1.5C goal.
“Clearly, we are in a climate emergency. Clearly, we need to address it. Clearly, we need to support the most vulnerable to cope. To do so successfully, greater ambition is now critical.
“We have no choice but to make COP26 a success. For that, we need unity of purpose. We need to leave Glasgow with a balanced package of decisions that reflect the positions of all countries.
“With willingness to compromise among the many perspectives we can arrive at workable, ambitious solutions that will help us keep the 1.5C goal within reach.
“We stand ready to work with all parties and to leave no voice behind to reach this important goal,” Espinosa said.
COP26, the 26th United Nations Climate Change conference, which started on Sunday in Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom, is expected to end Nov. 12, under the presidency of Alok Sharma, a British politician
