…..UN Climate Change boss urges compromise as negotiations intensify
The Executive Secretary of the UN Climate Change, Simon Stiell, has urged parties at the climate summit in Dubai to clear the unnecessary tactical blockades out of the way as negotiations intensified ahead of the closing on Tuesday.
The 28th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP28) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change climaxed on Monday as negotiators table demands for climate financing.
Stiell, during a media stakeout on Monday, regretted that there had been many blockades along this journey.
“We are now here to discuss two issues: One, how high is our ambition on mitigation; and two, are we willing to back this transition with the proper means of support to deliver it.
“Let me assure you – from our viewpoint at UN Climate Change – the highest levels of ambition are possible for both.
“I repeat – the highest levels of ambition are possible on both. But if we reduce on one, we reduce our ability to get either.
“So that leaves us with the question: how do we get, from here, a meaningful deal?
“First – clear the unnecessary tactical blockades out of the way. And there have been many along this journey.
“The Global Stocktake needs to help all countries get out of this mess. Any strategic landmines that blow it up for one, blow it up for all,” he said.
The UN official stated that the world was watching, and with the 4,000 members of the global media, and thousands of observers here in Dubai, there was nowhere to hide.
“I urge negotiators to reject incrementalism. Each step from the highest, each step back from the highest ambition will cost countless millions of lives, not in the next political or economic cycle, for future leaders to deal with, but right now, across every country.
“Third – preserve and respect every Party’s seat at the table. Inclusion, representation and transparency are key tenets of this process.
“And fourth – in this final quarter, it’s all eyes on the prize. That means highest ambition outcomes must stay front and center,” said Stiell.
He noted that the reality was the highest ambition outcomes were the only way for all governments to leave Dubai with a win under their belt.
”One thing is for certain”, he said ‘I win – you lose’ was a recipe for collective failure.
“Ultimately it is 8 billion people’s security that is at stake.
“Science is the backbone of the Paris Agreement, especially when it comes to the world’s temperature goals and the planetary limit of 1.5. That centere must hold,” he submitted.
