UN Chief Calls for "Climate Change Solidarity Pact"

UN Chief António Guterres called for a historic pact between developed and developing countries to combine capacities, and pivot the world towards reducing greenhouse emissions, transforming energy systems and avoiding a climate catastrophe.

In his address at the opening of the Climate Implementation Summit at COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, Guterres said: “We are on a highway to climate hell with our foot on the accelerator. Humanity has a choice: cooperate or perish. It is either a Climate Solidarity Pact – or a Collective Suicide Pact."

The proposed "climate change solidarity pact" would see all countries taking extra efforts to reduce emissions, wealthier nations and international financial institutions providing assistance to emerging economies, ending dependence on fossil fuels and the building of coals plants, providing sustainable energy for all, and uniting to combine strategy and capacities for the benefit of humankind.

It's worth mentioning that COP27 kicked off in Egypt’s Sharm El Sheikh on Sunday for talks on tackling climate change that come as the world also grapples with multiple crises, including the war in Ukraine, high inflation, food shortages and an energy crunch with strong participation from UN bodies, world leaders, governmental and civil society representatives.