Declare climate emergency: Guterres to world leaders

NEW DELHI: Anotnio Guterres, Secretary General, United Nations, while giving his opening remarks in the climate summit held virtually on December 12, urged world leaders to declare states of “climate emergency” in their countries until carbon neutrality is achieved worldwide. He added that there is need for impetus in bringing action to avoid catastrophic global warming. He mentioned that the economic recovery packages launched in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic represented an opportunity to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon future. But, Guterres commented that the members of the G20 are seen to be spending 50 per cent more in their stimulus and rescue packages on sectors linked to fossil fuel production and consumption, than on low-carbon energy.

Co-host of the summit, the United Kingdom made a new commitment of stopping direct government support for overseas fossil fuel projects. Boris Johnson, Prime Minister, UK, asked the world leaders to cooperate to reverse the process by which humanity has been quilting the planet in “a toxic tea cosy” of greenhouse gases. Tim Cook, Chief Executive Officer, Apple Inc, during the summit, called on companies and governments around the world to put efforts in making 2021 the year they turn the corner for good.