Azerbaijan UN climate chief warns G20 countries against economic "bloodbath"

SDA

16.11.2024 - 09:37

Simon Stiell, head of the UN Climate Change Secretariat (UNFCCC) based in Bonn, attends a session in the China Pavilion at the UN Climate Summit COP29. Photo: Peter Dejong/AP/dpa
Simon Stiell, head of the UN Climate Change Secretariat (UNFCCC) based in Bonn, attends a session in the China Pavilion at the UN Climate Summit COP29. Photo: Peter Dejong/AP/dpa
Keystone

In the tough negotiations at the global climate conference, there are hopes that the upcoming summit of the Group of 20 leading economic powers (G20) in Brazil will bring some movement. "Without a rapid reduction in emissions, none of the G20 economies will be spared a climate-related economic bloodbath," said UN climate chief Simon Stiell in Baku. Climate impacts are already impacting supply chains, food prices and destroying livelihoods in these countries too.

"The world is watching and expects strong signals that climate protection plays a central role for the world's largest economies." The climate crisis should be the number one topic.

Argentina and the USA at the table in Rio de Janeiro

In fact, Argentina and the USA will also be at the table at the summit. There are fears that both countries will pull out of the international Paris climate protection agreement - in the case of the USA as a result of the election of Donald Trump as future president. He had already led the USA out of the agreement during his first term in office.

In Baku, the delegations would negotiate day and night on a new financial target that would guarantee poorer countries support for climate protection and adaptation to climate impacts in future, said Stiell. "Progress on climate finance outside of our negotiations is just as important and the role of the G20 is crucial."

SDA