Belém, Brazil: Europe and the Arabs

UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that the failure of countries to prevent global warming from exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius constitutes a grave moral failing, as ignoring the climate crisis will cause suffering and death for millions of people worldwide.

His remarks came during the opening of the COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, where he emphasized that time is running out to save the planet from the catastrophic effects of climate change. According to the Brussels-based European news network Euronews, which added an article titled "Warning of Catastrophic Consequences of Exceeding the 1.5 Degree Celsius Threshold," Guterres said that even a temporary increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius "could unleash widespread destruction and enormous costs affecting all countries." He noted that this could push ecosystems toward irreversible tipping points, expose billions of people to unsuitable living conditions, and increase threats to international peace and security. He added that every fraction of a degree of increase means “more hunger, displacement, economic hardship, and loss of life and ecosystems,” emphasizing that developing countries, which have contributed the least to the climate crisis, are the most affected. He considered this a “moral failure” on the part of rich countries, not solidarity.

Fossil Fuel Companies Under Fire
Guterres sharply criticized oil, gas, and coal companies, accusing them of “misleading the public and obstructing climate progress.” He said these companies “enjoy massive financial and political support” and use it to the detriment of all humanity.

He added: “Spending billions on lobbyists, deceiving people, and obstructing progress is not only short-sighted, it is self-destructive. Betting on fossil fuels is a bet against humanity and against your own economies.”

He warned that every dollar spent subsidizing fossil fuels is a dollar “taken from our health and our shared future.” Limited Progress and Concerns About Slowing Efforts

The Secretary-General noted some progress in national plans to reduce emissions, but stressed that the pace of implementation remains far too slow. He warned that even if current pledges are fully implemented, the world will still be on track for a 2.3°C temperature increase, keeping the planet in the “danger zone.”

Despite these risks, Guterres considered the situation today better than it was two decades ago, thanks to the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement and the rapid advancements in clean energy. However, he cautioned that several major powers are backtracking on their climate commitments as nationalist right-wing movements rise, particularly in the United States.

Climate Finance: Commitments Far from Reality

Amid escalating climate disasters worldwide, developing countries have renewed their demands for wealthy industrialized nations to provide financial support to help them adapt to extreme weather events and fund the transition to clean energy. But financial commitments, according to Guterres, are still far from the $1.3 trillion annually agreed upon at COP29 in Baku. The Secretary-General called on developed countries to present a clear plan to reach this goal.

Britain: Climate Action a 'Win-Win' Opportunity for Everyone'

In the same vein, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to announce at the summit that his country is "fully engaged" in tackling the climate crisis, as it represents a "win-win opportunity for everyone," whether through reduced energy bills or the creation of new jobs. He noted that environmental plans could generate £1 trillion for the British economy within five years.

Starmer will also implicitly criticize figures like Bill Gates and Tony Blair, who have called for slowing down climate action, saying:

"Can energy security wait? Can bill payers wait? Can we win the race for green jobs if we slow down? Of course not."

He added: "You cannot protect jobs and communities by clinging to the status quo, nor can you meet a challenge like climate change by staying put." Rather, it is by moving together, embracing change, and seizing opportunities.”

The COP30 summit comes at a time when the world is facing escalating geopolitical crises, including wars and conflicts, which are diverting the attention of many countries from climate challenges. However, observers warn that ignoring this global crisis will only exacerbate environmental and economic chaos in the coming years.

World leaders are meeting in Belém, Brazil.

World leaders are meeting in the Brazilian city of Belém, in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, to try to boost global efforts against climate change ten years after the Paris Agreement, at the preparatory summit for the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), scheduled for November 10-21.

One hundred and seventy countries are participating in the summit, while most G20 leaders are absent. The European side is represented by French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Prince William, with the aim of reducing methane emissions and achieving targets for transitioning away from fossil fuels.

In contrast, the United States is absent, with US President Donald Trump describing climate science as a “hoax.”