The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres has called on governments, including developing countries such as Nigeria to adopt renewables in combating climate change.
Guterres, who made the call in a video message delivered at the opening ceremony of the 13th IRENA Assembly organized as part of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, hosted by Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy developer, said that renewables are solutions to climate catastrophe globally.
The UN Chief said: “Only renewables can safeguard our future, close the energy access gap, stabilize prices and ensure energy security. Today, their share in global electricity is about 30 per cent. That must double to over 60 per cent by 2030 and 90 per cent by 2050.”
Read also: Climate activists berate lack of climate action at Davos
Guterres stated that he was concerned that the world is still addicted to fossil fuels and that the 1.5-degree objective is quickly sliding out of reach as global leaders and stakeholders plan the first Global Stocktake at COP28 later this year in the United Arab Emirates.
In his words, “Under current policies, we are headed for 2.8 degrees of global warming by the end of the century. The consequences will be devastating. Several parts of our planet will be uninhabitable. And for many, this is a death sentence.”
According to him, world leaders must band together to lower the capital costs for renewable energy, particularly in developing nations like Nigeria, and make sure that financing reaches those who need it the most.
He urged multilateral development banks to do their part by making significant investments in renewable energy infrastructure, taking on greater risks, and utilizing private financing.
He also urged developed nations to collaborate with credit agencies to increase green investments in developing nations.
Story was adapted from Vanguard.
