António Guterres Photo: ED JONES
The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres says the world is in the "final countdown" to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius at the UN climate change conference in Azerbaijan.
Guterres told world leaders that 2024 has been a "masterclass in climate destruction", recording the hottest day and month, and is tracking to also include the hottest year.
COP 29 has been dubbed the 'finance COP'.
Guterres said that developing countries eager to act can't offered to do so, so access to climate finance needed to be easier to access.
"Families running for their lives before the next hurricane strikes; biodiversity destroyed in sweltering seas; workers and pilgrims collapsing in insufferable heat; floods tearing through communities, and tearing down infrastructure; children going to bed hungry as droughts ravage crops. All these disasters, and more, are being supercharged by human-made climate change. And no country is spared," he said at the world leaders' climate action summit opening ceremony.
"The rich cause the problem, the poor pay the highest price."
He said limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, means the world must cut global emissions nine percent every year.
By 2030, they must fall 43 percent on 2019 levels, he added.
"All countries must do their part. But the G20 must lead. They are the largest emitters, with the greatest capacities and responsibilities.
"They must bring their technological know-how together - with developed countries supporting emerging economies."
The UN chief said the COP29 outcome must build on the Pact for the Future - agreed by consensus in New York in September.
"There is no time to lose. On climate finance, the world must pay up, or humanity will pay the price," he said.
"In this crucial period, you and your governments must be guided by a clear truth:
climate finance is not charity, it's an investment. Climate action is not optional, it's imperative.
"Both are indispensable: to a liveable world for all humanity. And a prosperous future for every nation on Earth. The clock is ticking."
