UN 
(SDGTALKING) By Bunyamin Surmeli – United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres drew attention to environmental crises, climate change, and global health threats in his speech at the 17th BRICS Summit. Saying that “the 1.5-degree target is on a knife’s edge,” Guterres called on countries to take urgent action.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered a strong message during a session on the environment, climate change, and global health at the 17th BRICS Summit hosted by Brazil. Guterres said, “Our environment is under attack from all sides. Disasters are increasing rapidly due to the climate crisis, and people and their livelihoods are being destroyed.”
“Extreme heat, dirty water, and hunger are converging, deepening the health crisis.”
In his speech, Guterres drew attention to the effects of environmental destruction on human health, saying, “Extreme heat and water pollution are killing people. Farmland is being destroyed, hunger is spreading. Diseases such as malaria and dengue fever are spreading.
The poorest are paying the highest price,“ he said.
”The 1.5 degree target is a knife edge, emissions must be reduced immediately“
Emphasizing that global temperature rise is at risk of exceeding the 1.5 degree limit, Guterres said, ”A dramatic reduction in emissions is needed immediately. Every country must make an extra effort. The energy transition must be accelerated in a fair manner,“ he said.
Noting that renewable energy sources are now on par with fossil fuels, Guterres said, ”Today, 700 million people live without electricity. Renewable energy is a clean, cheap, and accessible solution.“
”COP30 must succeed, a binding agreement on plastic pollution is needed”
The Secretary-General emphasized the vital importance of COP30’s success, saying, “This year, we need a legally binding agreement on plastic pollution.” Guterres also called on countries to submit new national climate plans (NDCs) aligned with the 1.5-degree target by September.
Noting that insufficient contributions have been made to the Loss and Damage Response Fund, Guterres said, “The money raised at the donation conference for the fund is equivalent to the salary of a basketball player in the US. We must show with seriousness that this is no joke.”
“300 billion dollars in support must be provided by 2035”
Referring to the commitment agreed in Baku to provide 300 billion dollars in annual financing to developing countries by 2035, Guterres said, “There is also a need for new and innovative financing sources that will generate 1.3 trillion dollars in revenue annually.”
Calling for the reform of the international financial system, debt relief measures, and a threefold increase in the capacity of development banks, Guterres invited BRICS countries to take the lead in this direction.
“This is a moment of profound danger and opportunity.”
In closing, Guterres said, “I call on BRICS countries to act together for the planet, for people, and for prosperity. This is a moment of profound danger and also of hope.”
