UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell says the Middle East conflict and rising fossil fuel costs have exposed the urgent need for countries to speed up the global clean energy transition and strengthen climate action this decade.
Speaking during the closing segment of the Copenhagen Climate Ministerial last week, Stiell said the world was facing growing climate and economic pressures at a critical moment for the Paris Agreement goals.
“This is another crucial year in a crucial decade for climate action.
“The Middle East conflict has ignited a fossil fuel cost crisis.
“Demonstrating that the clean energy transition offers economic stability and energy security,” he said.
Stiell warned that climate risks were increasingly shaping politics around the world and said governments must act quickly to keep the 1.5 degrees Celsius target alive.
“We must harness the momentum to make this year, and this decade count. To get on track for 1.5 degrees – and all our Paris goals,” he said.
He said countries had clear climate targets on finance, mitigation and adaptation for 2030 and 2035 and must show progress before the next global stocktake at COP33.
“By the time we meet at COP33 for the second global stocktake, we must be closer to meeting them,” he said.
Stiell said major progress was needed at the June climate talks in Bonn ahead of COP31.
“We must make maximum progress at the June Climate meetings in Bonn.
“So that we come to COP31 ready to advance and deliver outcomes,” he said.
He said climate negotiations must now focus more heavily on delivering practical economic action.
“We must focus on driving real economy action – faster,” he said.
“Elevating the Action Agenda in our process so that it takes centre-stage complementary to the negotiations.”
Stiell identified investment in electricity grids and electrification, methane reduction, resilient cities and food security as key priorities this year.
He also stressed the importance of climate finance, saying the global roadmap to mobilise US$1.3 trillion must become reality.
“Alongside developed countries’ finance obligations, the Action Agenda can play a vital role in delivering the roadmap to US$1.3 trillion – which must become a reality,” he said.
Stiell also highlighted the role of Australia in future climate negotiations.
“And we are keenly watching developments on the COP30 Presidency Roadmaps, and importantly how our Australian friends will steward us on delivering on our major negotiated outcomes, such as Just Transition, and generating political momentum and resolving unnecessary long-standing issues such as access to finance.”
He urged ambitious countries to push climate action further and faster, even when consensus is difficult.
“Over these vital years, we also need the most ambitious among you taking the lead – coming together to make progress further and faster than consensus allows.
“The world will follow. And you will reap the rewards,” said Stiell.
