COP29: Major emitters must redress “colossal injustice” against island countries, says Guterres

COP29 talks in Baku this Wednesday focused on small island nations facing a existential threat from the warming of our planet, while the Secretary General of the UN, António Guterres, insisted that “they deserve support to confront a crisis that they have done practically nothing to create.”

“They have every right to be angry, I am too. They are on the most harmed side of a colossal injustice. An injustice that sees the very future of its islands threatened by rising sea levels; to its towns hit by unprecedented hurricanes; to their shattered economies,” Guterres said.

In his speech at the Summit of Small Island Developing States, one of several high-level events in which he is participating today within the framework of COP29, the Secretary General emphasized that the injustice these nations face is “perpetrated by a few.”

In fact, the countries of the G20 represent around 80% of global emissionshe noted, reiterating his request to put an end to this injustice.

“The world must follow and support them”

“Their nations – the Small Island Developing States – They are demonstrating what climate ambition means. You are the first to respond. The world must follow them and must support them,” argued the head of the UN, and established three priorities:

1. Spare no efforts to maintain the objective of a maximum increase of 1.5°C by the end of the centurywith the largest emitters – the G20 – leading the way. That means global emissions reduced by 9% annually until 2030. It means phasing out fossil fuels – quickly and fairly – and delivering on the COP28 outcome. And it means all countries submitting new economy-wide national climate action plans that align with the 1.5°C goal before COP30
2. Follow a path to justice to provide support and Help small island nations cope with climate shocks. This means securing significant contributions to the Loss and Damage Fund, so it can have a significant impact in places devastated by climate change.
3. Bring to fruition the objectives of the Pact for the Future – adopted by consensus at the UN General Assembly last September – which requires a reform of the international financial architecturel, including effective debt relief, and commits countries to pushing for a Sustainable Development Goals stimulus of $500 billion a year.

“Demand justice”

“We must promote the implementation of these commitments. Starting here and now,” Guterres stressed, and called for an agreement at COP29 on new climate finance target that takes into account the situation of small island developing States and allows the mobilization of the trillions of dollars needed by developing countries, with a significant increase in public funds on concessional terms.

“That goal should provide clarity on how the money will be mobilized; leverage innovative sources, such as taxes on aviation, shipping and fossil fuel extraction; and include an accessibility framework, transparency and accountability to build confidence that the funds will be delivered and available,” he explained.

The Secretary General addressed the leaders present at the event: “At this COP and beyond, I urge you to use your moral authority to demand action. Demand leadership. And demand justice”.