Speaking at a two-day international meeting on climate change, the UN chief said the only effective response to the worldwide health emergency is ‘‘brave, visionary, and collaborative leadership.” He urged the European Union to show “global leadership” by presenting updated emissions reduction plans by the end of the year that would put Europe on course to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050.
But Guterres added that other big emitters also have to come on board, noting that the Group of 20 major developed and emerging economies together account for more than 80 percent of global emissions. “The Paris Agreement was largely made possible by the engagement of the United States and China,” he said, referring to a 2015 climate accord. “Without the contribution of the big emitters, all our efforts will be doomed.” -Full Report
