‘A masterclass in climate destruction’: UN chief urges action at COP29

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told world leaders that the world was in the 'final countdown' to limit the rise in temperatures to 1.5 C.

The head of the United Nations is urging faster action by world leaders after 2024 saw what he called a “masterclass in climate destruction,” adding limiting global warming was still possible but difficult.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres told world leaders and those who attended COP29 that the world was in the “final countdown” of its chance to limit the rise in temperatures to 1.5 C.

“Time is not on our side,” he said. “Exhibit A: 2024. With the hottest day on record and the hottest month on record, this is almost certain to be the hottest year on record, and a masterclass in climate destruction.”

Guterres went on to cite recent hurricanes prompting evacuation, flooding in various communities and extreme heat’s impact on workers as examples of disasters being “super-charged” by climate change.

The European Union’s climate agency said last week it’s expected 2024 will be the hottest year on record.

With those impacts, Guterres noted, come impacts to the global economy with destroyed homes pushing up insurance premiums and supply chain “shocks” raising costs.

While he tried to stress the importance of action to leaders at COP29, those in charge of some of the countries that are the biggest polluters were not there.

Neither China nor the U.S. — the biggest polluters and strongest economies — sent their presidents and neither did India or Indonesia, the four of which account for the world’s most populous nations.