World leaders have rallied to push for an accelerated global climate action ahead of COP30, which will be hosted in Brazil.
This was agreed upon during a high-profile virtual summit convened by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The meeting was part of a joint mobilisation strategy by the two leaders to strengthen global action under the Paris Agreement and build momentum for stronger national climate plans to be announced in 2025.
The closed-door meeting, which lasted two hours, brought together 17 national leaders from major economies and climate-vulnerable countries to build momentum for stronger national climate plans due in 2025 under the Paris Agreement.
Mr. Guterres described the gathering as “one of the most diverse meetings of national leaders focused exclusively on climate for some time,” carrying a powerful unifying message.
“As we heard today, the world is moving forward. Full speed ahead. No group or government can stop the clean energy revolution,” the UN chief declared at a post-summit press briefing.
During the summit, many leaders pledged to deliver ambitious new climate plans, formally known as National Determined Contributions (NDCs), as soon as possible, which Mr. Guterres called a “strong message of hope.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping confirmed during the meeting that China’s updated NDCs would cover all economic sectors and all greenhouse gases, a clarification the Secretary-General described as “extremely important” for global climate action.
Mr. Guterres emphasized that renewable energy production represents “the economic opportunity of the century” and “the pathway out of climate hell,” noting that the clean energy sector is creating jobs and boosting economic growth worldwide.
“Science is on our side and economics have shifted,” he stated, highlighting that renewable energy prices have fallen dramatically, offering “the surest route to energy sovereignty and security, ending dependence on volatile and expensive fossil fuel imports.”
Global warming projections have declined from over 4°C this century to 2.6°C if current plans are implemented, but this still falls short of the 1.5°C target agreed in the Paris Agreement. The Secretary-General urged leaders to submit national plans aligned with this target that cover all greenhouse gases and sectors.
A senior Brazilian official involved in organizing the summit stated that the upcoming UN climate summit in Belém will move beyond negotiations to focus on implementation and results. “We have already negotiated enough…now the world wants to see action, results, examples, solutions,” the official said.
Mr. Guterres emphasized the need for increased support to developing countries facing severe climate impacts despite contributing least to global emissions. He called for countries to deliver a credible roadmap to mobilize $1.3 trillion per year for developing nations by 2035, double adaptation finance to $40 billion this year, and increase contributions to the Loss and Damage Fund created at COP28.
The Secretary-General also announced a high-level UN event planned for September, just weeks before COP30, to assess progress on climate plans and finance, reinforcing his message that “We cannot, must not, and will not let up on climate action.”