Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, on Friday at the COP31 conference taking place in Antalya, Turkey, called for a "immediate and drastic" reduction of greenhouse gases. This request comes as disagreements over fossil fuels have overshadowed the negotiations of this conference in its first week.
Challenges Facing the Negotiating Table
Major producers and consumers of fossil fuels are resisting agreements that would set new targets or refer to reducing the use of oil, gas, and coal at this conference. This situation has created a challenge for the host of the conference, Turkey, and the lead negotiator, Australia, who have only one more week to achieve an ambitious agreement that environmental advocates like Guterres emphasize.
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In this context, Guterres stated: "The main question is in the hands of member countries, especially major polluters. They must recognize the need for an immediate and drastic reduction of gases to keep the 1.5-degree target that countries of the world committed to in the Paris Agreement of 2015 still achievable." This comes as recent reports indicate that the world is on track to exceed the 1.5-degree Celsius limit.
Climate Developments and Their Impact
The rise in temperatures this year has led to severe heatwaves in Western Europe and the collapse of glaciers in Nepal, resulting in floods that have claimed the lives of over 1,450 people, with thousands more still missing. Major oil producers like Saudi Arabia and Russia typically oppose restrictions related to fossil fuels, while large developing countries like India also resist actions that could harm their development and energy choices.
Guterres emphasized the need to combat the disproportionate influence of the fossil fuel lobby, stating: "The future of our planet cannot be negotiated based on the conditions of those who profit from its destruction." He also expressed hope, saying: "I have seen amazing things in the last 10 years. Renewable energies have moved from the margins to the mainstream. Economies have changed, and technology has advanced. A cleaner, safer, and more secure future is in our hands."
Turkey, as the host of the conference, is trying to place a proposal for expanding global electricity access at the center of the final agreement, aiming for this program to help reduce pollutants. This proposal does not require that the new electricity use be sourced from renewable resources, although some countries like Brazil, the host of last year's COP, are calling for progress on a plan that would require member countries to more precisely outline their transition from fossil fuels.
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