UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has urged delegates at COP28 to “negotiate in good faith,” giving emphasis to the essence of the next few hours of negotiations.
Speaking to reporters, Guterres averred, “We are in a race against time.”
“As I said at the opening of COP28, our planet is minutes to midnight for the 1.5C limit and the clock keeps ticking,” he stressed.
Guterres stated that COP28 is scheduled to wrap up tomorrow, Tuesday, December 11, 2023, “but there are still large gaps that need to be bridged.”
“Now is the time for maximum ambition and maximum flexibility,” he said.
“Ministers and negotiators must move beyond arbitrary red lines, entrenched positions and blocking tactics. It is time to go into overdrive to negotiate in good faith and rise to the challenge set by COP President, Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber.
“It is time to seek compromise for solutions – without compromising on the science or compromising on the need for the highest ambition.”
Antonio Guterres
Guterres added, “In our fractured and divided world, Cop28 can show that multilateralism remains our best hope to tackle global challenges.”
Also, Guterres noted that it is essential that the Global Stocktake recognises the need to phase out all fossil fuels on a timeframe consistent with the 1.5 degree limit, and to accelerate a just, equitable and orderly energy transition for all.
He said, “A transition that takes into account the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and reflective capabilities, in light of national circumstances – not to reduce ambition but to combine ambition and equity.”
“No Moment To Lose”
As discussions enter their final stage at COP 28, Simon Stiell, Head of the UN climate change body in charge of the summit called on negotiators to eliminate any unnecessary hindrances.
He said, “We do not have a moment to lose in this crucial home stretch.”
Speaking to journalists on Monday morning, Stiell said the remaining areas for negotiation had “narrowed significantly” to leave just two issues.
The first is how high the ambition to mitigate climate change is. The second is how willing countries are to back the transition with the support it needs.
“Let me assure you – from our viewpoint at UN climate change – the highest levels of ambition are possible for both… But if we reduce on one, we reduce our ability to get either.”
Stiell noted that to get a meaningful deal, negotiators need to “clear the unnecessary tactical blockades out of of the way.”
“The Global Stocktake needs to help all countries get out of this mess. Any strategic landmines that blow it up for one, blow it up for all.”
He also urged negotiators to reject incremental steps, respect every party’s seat at the table and keep all eyes on the prize.
He averred, “One thing is for certain.‘I win, you lose’ is a recipe for collective failure. Ultimately it is 8 billion people’s security that is at stake.”
Teresa Anderson, global climate justice lead at ActionAid International, opined that Stiell had sent a clear message that “the only way that COP28 can end our planet’s destructive addiction to fossil fuels is through rich countries delivering the finance to make this happen on the ground.”
“Calling out ‘tactical blockages’, ‘landmines’ and ‘I win – you lose’ brinkmanship was a less-than-subtle rebuke to the powerful counties who are putting a narrow set of national interests above those of humanity.
“His plea echoes the fervent wish of everyone around the world – for COP28 to be a pivotal moment in history, that we can look back on in pride.”
Teresa Anderson
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