Antalya:Nations must unite to drive tangible progress in climate protection efforts, according to UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell. Stiell emphasized that while no single Conference of the Parties (COP) can completely halt climate change, each conference, including the upcoming COP31 in Antalya, contributes essential advancements.
According to Wam, Stiell highlighted the importance of converting pledges and targets into concrete results during COP31, which Türkiye will host next week. He stressed the need for collaboration among businesses, cities, states, communities, and civil society to transform written commitments into actionable projects.
Stiell noted that COP31 occurs amidst ongoing challenges such as the fossil-fuel cost crisis, which has increased energy and transport expenses. Additionally, worsening climate disasters are negatively impacting nations globally, affecting lives, health, and increasing food prices and hunger. He pointed out that the climate crisis is now a pressing issue affecting economies and populations worldwide.
The executive secretary also mentioned that COP31 could provide practical solutions, such as promoting electrification and clean energy to reduce household bills and enhance energy security. Building resilience is crucial to protect communities and economies from climate disasters, especially in light of the intensified impacts of a super El Niño.
Stiell underscored the urgency of accelerating financial support and reducing bureaucratic hurdles, as well as the significant impact of cutting super pollutants like methane, which contributes to global heating at a rate much higher than carbon dioxide. He concluded by reaffirming the ongoing work of the Paris Agreement, which includes national plans for clean energy deployment and resilience building, as well as progress reporting, to maintain momentum toward climate goals.