Cop26: UN chief demands greater global effort as 'climate crisis closes in'

Guterres says net zero emissions must become ‘new normal'

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres says more must be done to tackle climate change. AFP

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called on nations to increase efforts to tackle climate change before the Cop26 summit in Glasgow this year.

Mr Guterres told the UN that the world was way off the targets outlined in the Paris Agreement, which seek to keep the change in global temperatures to less than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

He also called for coal to be phased out in developed nations by 2030.

Signatories to the Paris Agreement must now present clear and credible plans to achieve net-zero emissions as “words are not enough”.

“This year, the drive to net zero must become the new normal for everyone everywhere, for every country as well as the key sectors such as aviation, shipping industry and agriculture,” Mr Guterres said.

“At the same time, all commitments to net zero must be underpinned by clear and credible plans to achieve them.”

The Cop26 summit is set to be held in Glasgow, Scotland in November.

But Mr Guterres said the usual schedule of meetings would be likely to take place online because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“I cannot overestimate the importance of the negotiations in the months ahead,” he said.

“We simply cannot allow the pandemic to keep us from working together on the crucial pathway to Glasgow.

"Although there will be challenges, we must adapt. The stakes are too high to do otherwise. Everyone must be ready to make compromises.”

Alok Sharma, Britain’s Business Secretary and chairman of the Cop26 summit, was also at the Road to Glasgow online meeting.

Mr Sharma demanded greater leadership from international heads of state.

“Last year saw record temperatures, we saw fires raging across the world, we saw storms intensifying," he said.

"In short, our friends, that climate crisis is closing in. This year cannot simply be a repeat of the last.

Alok Sharma is president of November's Cop26 key climate change talks. AFP

“We all know what is at stake if we do not work now to secure the right outcomes at Glasgow.

"Let me remind you we have 266 days to go to Cop26. Please let's work together, let's make sure that every one of those days counts.”