UN chief urges G20 countries to take lead in delivering climate justice

By Hassan Isilow

The UN chief on Wednesday called on G20 countries to take the lead in delivering climate justice, saying that many vulnerable countries are being forced to respond to a crisis they did nothing to create.

“Every G20 country has to do more in reduction of emissions,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in an address at a G20 Sherpa meeting in Johannesburg.

South Africa assumed the G20 presidency on Dec. 1, choosing the theme Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability. It held its first G20 meeting on Monday.

As the first African country to lead the group of powerful nations, South Africa said its theme seeks to harness global will and capabilities to confront the enormous challenges facing the globe.

Guterres said that next year every government must deliver new nationwide economic plans in line with limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees C.

“These new plans must cover all emissions in the whole economy, accelerate a just fossil fuel phrase-out, and contribute to energy transition goals agreed at the COP28,” the UN chief said, referring to last month’s UN climate change conference in Azerbaijan.

Guterres said they need developed countries to support developing ones with adequate, affordable, and accessible financing and technology.

“We must also ensure that Africa’s critical mineral resources that can power the renewables revolution worldwide benefit Africans first and most. We cannot repeat the mistakes of the past.”

He said they need the G20 to lead on technological justice, from digital technology to artificial intelligence.

“The developing world needs to access and benefit from the technological revolution,” he said, adding that he looks forward to working with South Africa in its G20 presidency.