Countries need to make larger commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions towards the goal of keeping global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The biggest emitters should be leading the effort, with the timeline given for developed countries to reach net zero emissions by 2040 at the latest and developing economies by 2050.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks at the United Nations Climate Ambition Summit (September 18-26) in New York City, USA. The call was made in the context of the world witnessing many climate disasters such as heat waves, forest fires, floods, super storms...
The United Nations Climate Ambition Summit attracted the attention and participation of hundreds of leaders of countries and international organizations. The conference featured 41 speakers from countries and international organizations, including Brazil, Canada, France, the European Union (EU) Delegation, Germany, etc.
Climate change - affects everyone
At the conference, leaders of countries and international organizations expressed concern about the severe impacts of climate change.
India deploys coastal protection measures due to rising sea levels. (Photo: baotainguyenmoitruong)
Although small island states are most vulnerable to rising sea levels, the range of countries affected is much wider, warned UN General Assembly President Dennis Francis.
Citing data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Mr. Francis said the IPCC estimates that under current conditions, global average sea levels are likely to rise by 8 to 29 centimeters by 2030, with equatorial regions suffering the most. This leads to extreme weather events, severely affecting livelihoods and communities.
Some 900 million people living in coastal areas are at risk of losing their homes due to rising sea levels and other consequences of climate change. According to Mr. Francis, no one can avoid a potential disaster, fertile river deltas such as the Mississippi, Mekong and Nile - the world's breadbasket - are sinking.
In addition to the severe impacts on livelihoods and communities, sea level rise also causes more serious impacts on environmental, legal, political, technical, economic, cultural and human rights aspects.
“We risk not only losing land, but also the rich cultural and historical heritage of the islands and regions that have shaped the identity of their people,” warned Mr. Francis and other leaders at the conference.
Slow progress in combating climate change is unacceptable.
At the Conference, opinions also emphasized that responding to climate change is a common responsibility, the international community needs to take urgent action, strengthen cooperation and solidarity to solve this problem.United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on countries to set ambitious greenhouse gas emission reductions in line with the goal of keeping global temperature rise at 1.5°C, with major emitters taking the lead in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, developed countries needing to achieve net zero emissions by 2040 at the latest, and major emerging economies by 2050.
“We need every entrepreneur, investor, city, state and national leader to step up to the promise of net zero emissions. The United Nations can no longer tolerate climate laggards, fraud and any form of greenwashing,” said Antonio Guterres.
Global temperatures continue to rise. (Photo: Science et Avenir)
Antonio Guterres said the Climate Solidarity Pact, which proposes that the world's largest CO2 emitters push the timeline for net zero emissions from 2050 to 2040, would help emerging economies move their target from 2060 to a more immediate timeframe, now expected to be 2050.
He also proposed establishing a global early warning system for everyone. The UN official asserted that everyone on Earth must be protected by an early warning system by 2027.
| Speaking at the Conference, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said: Vietnam is determined to fulfill its commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and, with the full support of the international community, strives to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43.5% by 2030 and achieve a renewable energy ratio of more than 70% by 2050. |
Thuy Trang
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