03 Dec 2018

Climate change is running faster than the world therefore countries need to catch up before it is too late. 

The warning was made by United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres when officially opening COP24 in Katowice, Poland attended by over 80 heads of state, among them President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi.

Mr Guterres said for many regions and countries it was already a matter of life and death, but even as the world witnessed devastating climate impacts, most countries were still not doing enough on preventative measures.

He therefore urged countries to operationalise the Paris Agreement which provided the framework for action, among them commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“I remind all Parties that this is a deadline we set for ourselves and it is vital that we meet it. We need a unifying implementation vision that sets out clear rules, inspires action and promotes raised ambition based on the principle of equity and common, but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities in light of different national circumstances,” he said.He said the world had a collective responsibility to invest in averting global climate chaos and consolidate the financial commitments made in Paris and to assist the most vulnerable communities and nations.

Mr Guterres said countries needed concerted resource mobilization and investment to successfully combat climate change, especially in areas of energy, land use, water and industry among others.

He pleaded with the gathered heads of states to use the Katowice conference to rejuvenate their commitment to the Paris Agreement, which required their firm political will.

For his part, Polish Minister of Energy and also COP 24 president, Mr Michal Kurtyka said as a global village, it was important that countries pulled together and worked in solidarity towards the fight against climate change.

“The main challenge we have is how to get so many people to move together, and this is where factors such as commitment and sacrifices are needed the most. Ordinary people out in villages need support and assurance as we try to move them towards transition on how to change their daily lifestyles,” he said.

He said it was a shame that just three years after the Paris Agreement, the global society did not seem to be globally together and therefore urged countries to be considerate those needing support in pursuit of their economic and financial development.

The conference is expected to run until December 14.ENDS