Countries are being urged to ‘go further, faster’ and deliver on climate commitments

Simon Stiell delivered a speech at the opening UN Climate Summit in June in Bonn, Germany – an important step forward COP31 climate conference in Antalya, Turkiye this November.

“Addressing the global climate crisis is the most difficult yet most important thing humanity has ever done together,” He said.

“It’s worth doing, because we have no choice. Every economy and population depends on it.”

Important meetings

The meeting in Bonn is held every year ahead of the COP conference, the most recent of which was held in Belém, Brazil, last November.

Over the next two weeks, delegates will advance technical and political work and review progress on existing commitments.

The mid-year talks are being held against a backdrop of intensifying climate impacts and increasing pressure on countries related to energy security, food systems and economic uncertainty.

The focus is on issues such as adaptation, finance, a just transition to renewable energy, agriculture and food security, as well as the follow-up of the efforts made. first global inventory towards achievement Paris Agreement on climate changeending at COP28 in Dubai in December 2023.

‘We are not where we should be’

Stiell noted that “action on climate change and the global economy is underway” although progress remains insufficient.

“We are not where we want to be. But we are where we have never been before,” he said, adding that this hard work was starting to bear fruit.

“People around the world need these processes to continue delivering results, and at ever-increasing speed and scale,” he said, adding that “we do not have time to reopen past debates or renegotiate commitments already made.”

Dependence on fossil fuels

He said people who don’t benefit from climate action are already bearing the brunt of deadly heat, the impact of El Niño, and a “fossil fuel cost crisis” triggered by wars in the Middle East that is impacting households and economies around the world.

“Very clear: continuing our dependence on fossil fuels means continuing to import inflation and economic instability, while exporting energy security, sovereignty and policy autonomy“exposing economies and communities to climate disasters, having devastating impacts on lives and well-being everywhere,” he said.

Focus on delivery

Stiell urged countries to “go further, faster” by fully fulfilling the obligations and plans made under the agreement Paris Agreementa 2015 agreement that seeks to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

Countries must first simplify the Paris process because “all institutions must continue to develop and develop.”

They must put forward important issues such as Global Goals on AdaptationBelém Adaptation Indicators, which delivers the results of the first global inventory, develops just transition mechanisms and financing, including a climate finance work program to the Adaptation Fund.

Finally, they “must bring this process closer to the real economy.” Regarding this, he pointed to Global Climate Action Agenda as a way to bring together governments, companies, innovators, investors, cities, regions and civil society to support implementation.

Make it count

Mr Stiell also acknowledged the government’s call to make the UN climate process more efficient and easier to navigate.

He said the Secretariat listened to concerns regarding mandates, access to climate finance and the reporting burden that Parties must bear, including through broader efforts under this Agreement. UN80 reform initiative.

“The Secretariat will always be there to advise and support you,” he said. “But ultimately, it’s your process, and the decision you have to make.”

He urged delegates to use the meeting in Bonn to tackle major challenges such as energy security, food security, waste reduction, strengthening urban resilience and tackling methane emissions.

“The hard work continues,” he said. “Make these two weeks count.”