World Climate Conference: “Our grandchildren have to live with the consequences”

Heads of state and government gathered at the climate conference – King Charles made an urgent appeal to them: he and UN Secretary General Guterres called for more efforts in the fight for the climate.

It is the largest climate summit the world has seen to date, and the tasks are appropriate – almost 200 countries are taking stock in Dubai of what they have achieved in climate protection in order to do more in the future. According to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, it is already clear: the global community is miles away from the goals it set for itself in the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015.

Guterres’ message is also aimed specifically at the host country, the United Arab Emirates, which has become rich through the sale of oil: “The 1.5 degree goal can only be achieved if we stop using fossil fuels – not reduce or reduce their use, but rather exit with a clear roadmap in line with the 1.5 degree target.”

It is not too late, emphasizes Guterres, what is needed now is the political will of governments to move forward, work together and act quickly. This applies especially to the industrialized and emerging countries of the G20. They are responsible for four fifths of global emissions of climate-damaging greenhouse gases.

Charles III: World community strayed from the path

The British King Charles III. appealed to the heads of state and government at the summit to keep the common hope alive. “In 2050, our grandchildren will not ask what we said, they will have to live with the consequences of what we did – or not.”

Some important progress has been made, Charles explained. In his own words, however, he is deeply concerned that the global community has strayed terribly far from the path.

Scholz is committed to the climate club

Chancellor Olaf Scholz wants to promote the climate club in Dubai – an association of over 30 countries that want to lead the way in climate protection and sustainably transform the industry. Steel, cement, chemicals – these sectors are responsible for a particularly large number of emissions. They should become greener and remain competitive at the same time.

“We want to make decarbonized industry the future economic model and promote green growth, and quickly,” said Scholz. David Ryfisch from the development organization Germanwatch welcomes the initiative in principle. “If this climate club manages to set standards and create demand for green steel and cement, then it really makes sense.”

Fund against climate-related damage

Unlike previous climate summits, the conference in Dubai began with a confidence-building measure: Yesterday, right at the start, the states made a long-controversial fund operational to compensate for climate-related damage and losses, especially in poorer countries.

Environmental groups see this as a historic step. Harjeet Singh from the umbrella organization CAN also says: “We can’t just talk about compensation for damage and losses, we have to address the causes. We know: More fossil fuels means more damage and losses.”

In the afternoon, many heads of state and government appeared at the climate summit. Chancellor Scholz is scheduled to speak in the plenary session tomorrow.