`Climate action for people and the planet: the time is now ‘

In this pivotal year for humanity, now is the time for bold climate action.

The science is irreversible and globally agreed: to prevent the climate crisis from becoming a permanent disaster, we must limit global heating to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

To do this, we need to reach zero net greenhouse gas emissions by the middle of the century. Countries that make up about two-thirds of the global economy are committed to doing so. This is encouraging, but every country, city, business and financial institution urgently needs to join this coalition and adopt firm plans for transition to net zero.

Even more urgent is for governments to match this long-term ambition with concrete action now, as trillions of dollars are used to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. Revitalizing economies is our opportunity to re-engineer our future.

The world has a strong framework for action: the Paris Agreement, in which all countries committed to setting their own national climate action plans and strengthening them every five years. Over five years later, and with damning proof, if we do not act that we will destroy our planet, it is time to act decisively and effectively as the United Nations convenes all countries in Glasgow in November for COP26.

The new national plans must cut global greenhouse gas pollution by at least 45 percent by 2030 compared to 2010 levels. Many have already been introduced, and have set out clearer policies to adapt to the effects of changing climate climate and promoting access to renewable energy.

But so far, those plans are achieving less than a 1 percent cut in emissions. This is a true red alert for people and the planet. In the coming months, beginning with the upcoming United States Leaders Summit, governments must dramatically increase their ambitions – especially the most emitting countries that have caused the vast majority of the crisis.

Eliminating coal from the electricity sector is the most important step to achieving the 1.5 degree goal. Immediate action to remove the most dirty, polluting fossil fuels from power sectors offers our world a fighting chance.

Global coal consumption in electricity production must fall 80 percent below 2010 levels by 2030. This means that developed economies must commit to phasing out coal by 2030; other countries must do this by 2040. There is simply no reason for any new coal mines to be built anywhere. One third of the global coal fleet is already more expensive to operate than building new renewable energy and storage. COP26 must mark the end of coal.

As the world moves towards clean air and renewable energy, it is vital that we ensure a just transition. Workers in affected industries and the informal sector must be supported as they move jobs or reskill. We must also unleash the vast power of women and girls to drive transformation, including as equal participants in governance and decision making.

Countries that contributed least to climate change suffer many of the worst effects. Many small island nations will simply cease to exist if we do not step up the response. The developed countries must meet their commitments to provide and use $ 100 billion annually by:

doubling current levels of climate funding;

allocate half of all climate finance to adaptation;

stop international finance of coal; a

moving subsidies from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

The G7 Summit in June offers the world’s richest countries the chance to step up and deliver the necessary financial commitments that will ensure the success of COP26.

While governments must take the lead, decision makers everywhere have a vital role to play.

I ask all multilateral and national development banks, from COP26, to have clear policies in place to finance the COVID recovery and the transition to resilient economies in developing countries, taking into account overwhelming debt levels and huge pressures on national budgets. Many local governments and private businesses are committed to zero net emissions by 2050, and have engaged in significant reviews of their business models. I encourage everyone to set ambitious targets and policies.

I urge young people everywhere to continue to raise their voices for action to tackle climate change, protect biodiversity, stop humanity’s war on nature and accelerate efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Time is running out, and there is a lot of hard work ahead, but this is not the time to raise the white flag. The United Nations will continue to fly our blue flag of unity and hope. This Earth Day and over the crucial months ahead, I urge all nations and everyone to rise together to this moment.

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