UN Chief: Failure On Climate Will Mean Economic Disaster

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UN Chief: Failure On Climate Will Mean Economic Disaster

Speaking at the annual U.N. climate meeting in Madrid, Guterres said fears that measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions would decimate existing industries ignored the opportunities arising from the ‘green economy.’

FRANK JORDANS

Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations delivers a speech at the COP25 climate talks summit in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019. Photo: AP Photo/Manu Fernandez

MADRID (AP): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres urged countries and companies Thursday to tackle climate change, saying failure to do so would mean “economic disaster.”

Speaking at the annual U.N. climate meeting in Madrid, Guterres said fears that measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions would decimate existing industries ignored the opportunities arising from the ‘green economy.’

“For too long, vested interests have peddled the false story that economic growth and tackling climate change are incompatible,” the U.N. chief said. “This is nonsense.”

A visitor attends the COP25 climate talks summit in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019. Photo: AP Photo/Manu Fernandez

“In fact, failing to tackle global heating is a sure-fire recipe for economic disaster,” Guterres added.

He cited a study showing that shifting to a low-carbon economy could create 65 million new jobs worldwide by 2030 and boost growth by $26 trillion dollars.

Scientists say countries need to stop burning fossil fuels by 2050 at the latest to ensure global temperatures don’t rise more than 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) this century.

Protesters gather at the COP25 summit in Madrid, Wednesday Dec. 11, 2019. World leaders agreed in Paris four years ago to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit), ideally no more than 1.5 C (2.7 F) by the end of the century. Scientists say countries will miss both of those goals by a wide margin unless drastic steps are taken to begin cutting greenhouse gas emissions next year. Claiming that the message doesn't seem to be getting through to governments, over one hundred activists led by representatives of indigenous peoples from Latin and North America made their way to the talks' venue, blocking for some tense minutes the entrance to a plenary meeting where U.N. Secretary General António Guterres was about to speak. Photo: AP Photo/Bernat Armangue

“This transition needs to be done to benefit everybody,” he said. “And not doing this transition will only allow, as I said, the survival of the richest.”

His remarks came as negotiations in Madrid officially entered their final two days, with agreements on key issues still out of reach.

Vulnerable countries expressed outrage over Australia’s bid to hold onto piles of emissions vouchers left over from a now-discredited system that would allow it to meet its climate commitments without reducing pollution.

A member of the indigenous people of Ecuador attends a protest at the COP25 summit in Madrid, Wednesday Dec. 11, 2019. World leaders agreed in Paris four years ago to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit), ideally no more than 1.5 C (2.7 F) by the end of the century. Scientists say countries will miss both of those goals by a wide margin unless drastic steps are taken to begin cutting greenhouse gas emissions next year. Claiming that the message doesn't seem to be getting through to governments, over one hundred activists led by representatives of indigenous peoples from Latin and North America made their way to the talks' venue, blocking for some tense minutes the entrance to a plenary meeting where U.N. Secretary General António Guterres was about to speak. Photo: AP Photo/Bernat Armangue

Talks to agree rules for global carbon markets and aid for poor countries already affected by climate change also made little progress.

Overnight, the U.N. climate office said it would let dozens of observers who were expelled from the meeting back into the venue.

Some 100 people were escorted off site Wednesday after some staged an impromptu demonstration outside a hall where Guterres was speaking.

Demonstrators scuffle with UN security staff members during a protest at the COP25 summit in Madrid, Wednesday Dec. 11, 2019. World leaders agreed in Paris four years ago to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit), ideally no more than 1.5 C (2.7 F) by the end of the century. Scientists say countries will miss both of those goals by a wide margin unless drastic steps are taken to begin cutting greenhouse gas emissions next year. Claiming that the message doesn't seem to be getting through to governments, over one hundred activists led by representatives of indigenous peoples from Latin and North America made their way to the talks' venue, blocking for some tense minutes the entrance to a plenary meeting where U.N. Secretary General António Guterres was about to speak. Photo: AP Photo/Bernat Armangue

The protesters said they were angered by the slow pace of the talks and the apparent unwillingness of major greenhouse gas emitters to do more to curb global warming.

The U.N. climate office said Thursday that the protesters violated rules they had agreed to in advance to be accredited for the talks, including a prohibition on holding “unauthorized demonstrations.”

In a joint statement, representatives from the various groups said they would abide by the guidelines and seek permission before staging future protests.