Guterres held a press conference within the scope of the 31st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31) held in Antalya.
Thanking Türkiye for hosting, hospitality and warm welcome, Guterres said, "Turkey is hosting one of the largest COPs ever and undoubtedly the largest UN conference of this year. It is truly extraordinary to feel the energy, enthusiasm and determination of tens of thousands of people from all corners of the world." he said.
Guterres pointed out that the COP event once again reminded us that only the UN has the capacity to bring together so many people and organizations to deal with the biggest challenges of our age and said:
"This is my last COP as Secretary-General and my last event in Antalya, so let me look back for a moment. During my nearly 10 years as Secretary-General, I have tried to tell the truth about climate change. Sometimes that truth has been uncomfortable. Sometimes it has been unwelcome. But my responsibility has never been to make the facts more palatable. The truth is that climate change transcends its borders. My duty has been to tell the science-based truth and to be particularly clear when that truth is difficult. Climate change is causing hunger and displacement around the world. It wipes out decades of development gains, it drives countries deeper into debt, it fuels instability, and it increasingly threatens the very existence of communities and countries. For all these reasons, I have never seen climate action as just one issue among many.”
Guterres stated that climate action is of central importance to every aspect of the UN's work and continued:
"You cannot build peace on a burning planet. You cannot eliminate poverty while climate disasters are constantly pushing people back into poverty. You cannot promise young people a better future while destroying the natural systems on which that future depends. You cannot seriously talk about justice in an environment where those who have contributed least to this crisis are the first and most severely victimized. Moreover, this injustice is even deeper. Because we know what is happening. We know why. We also know what we need to do. Fossil fuels are the main cause of the climate crisis. There is a credible path to a safe climate without moving away from fossil fuels." There is no way."
"EXCESSING THE 1.5 DEGREE LIMIT IS NOW INEVITABLE"
Stating that he expressed the message he wanted to give at the COP in Antalya very clearly, Guterres said, "The climate requires this, but economies and security also require it. We need an accelerated transition to move away from fossil fuels in a fair, orderly and equitable manner." he said.
Guterres stated that dependence on fossil fuels makes countries vulnerable to price shocks, geopolitical turmoil and instability, and that reducing dependence, not changing suppliers, will solve this problem.
This means massively expanding clean energy, electricity grids, energy storage, efficiency and clean electrification, while ensuring that growth in clean energy actually reduces fossil fuel production, use and emissions, Guterres said.
"That was the message I gave here. Science has revealed another harsh reality that makes all this even more necessary. Exceeding the 1.5 degree limit is now inevitable. Our responsibility is to keep this exceedance as small and as short-term as possible, and to bring temperatures back below 1.5 degrees as quickly as possible. This requires immediate and serious emissions reductions of about 6 percent per year for the next few years."
Guterres stated that, based on existing commitments regarding nationally determined contributions, we are moving towards an overshoot that will continue for the foreseeable future and that temperatures will exceed 2.5 degrees by the end of the century. "This is a recipe for disaster. Even a limited and temporary overstep will exacerbate the devastating effects we are already seeing. This makes climate justice even more urgent." he said.
Pointing out that developing countries, especially the most vulnerable ones, will need much more support regarding loss, damage and adaptation, Guterres underlined that developed countries should provide the financing they committed at the last COP meetings.
"Economic conditions have changed. Technology has advanced. And let's be clear about the size of the gap, even tripling adaptation financing would cover less than 30 percent of what is needed," Guterres said. he said.
However, Guterres stated that he remained hopeful and said, "During this decade, I have also witnessed something extraordinary. Renewable energy has come out of the background and become the mainstream. A cleaner, safer and more energy secure future is in our hands. The real question is whether we have the courage and speed to achieve it." he said.
"WE MUST FACE THE DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT OF THE FOSSIL FUEL LOBBY"
Guterres said that the gap between what science requires and what politics puts forward is dangerously large and said, "The COP process should develop in a way that will help close this gap." he said.
Referring to the remarkable initiatives brought to the agenda in Antalya, Guterres gave examples of these as road maps for moving away from fossil fuels and deforestation, efforts to expand electrification, global commitment to zero waste, accelerating the development of global electricity networks and accelerating the implementation of the "Early Warning for All" initiative.
Reiterating that the solution to the real issue lies in the hands of the member states, especially the countries that cause the highest greenhouse gas emissions, Guterres said, "These countries must accept that emissions must be reduced immediately and radically in order to still make the goal of limiting the global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees by the end of the century possible." he said.
Reminding that negotiations continue to be of vital importance, Guterres evaluated that what really matters is whether the decisions taken lead to faster action and whether they make a concrete difference in people's lives.
"We must confront the disproportionate influence of the fossil fuel lobby. The future of our planet cannot be negotiated on the terms of those who profit from its destruction." Guterres said, noting that no country can protect itself from climate change alone.
EMPHASIS "WE SHARE THE SAME PLANET"
Guterres underlined that everyone shares the same planet and a common destiny, and therefore he strengthened his support for its implementation in various fields, from early warning systems to electricity networks, from methane to critical minerals.
"Climate action must continue to be at the heart of the work of the United Nations. Because this issue is about peace. It is about development. It is about human rights and justice." Guterres emphasized that the issue is about whether international cooperation can still demonstrate the necessary will to overcome problems that no country can solve alone.
Stating that he believes that this is possible and must be achieved, Guterres said, "Therefore, the message I want to give when leaving Antalya is simple: Face the facts. Follow the path of science. Choose the future. Never give up." he said.
Guterres said that today he had the opportunity to meet with the managers of different climate funds and that he wanted them to do their best to ensure that countries with limited administrative capacity can access existing funds much more easily.
Noting that the available funds are not sufficient, Guterres pointed out that the situation we face regarding the climate involves a structural injustice.
Guterres called on developed countries to accelerate the process of reducing their emissions whenever possible.
