Johannesburg: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized on Saturday that Africa faces a 'deadly price' due to climate change impacts, despite contributing minimally to the crisis. Speaking at a G20 leaders' summit, Guterres highlighted the world's failure to maintain warming within the 1.5°C (2.7°F) limit. This failure, he stated, makes a temporary overshoot unavoidable, necessitating efforts to minimize its severity and duration.

According to Anadolu Agency, Guterres warned of the dire consequences that lie ahead, including increased heat waves, wildfires, floods, hurricanes, and hunger. He stressed the importance of G20 leadership and support in constructing a resilient world for both people and the planet. To prevent further 'climate chaos,' Guterres called for bridging the adaptation gap, a critical component of climate justice, by urging countries to fulfill their promises. This includes doubling adaptation finance this year and aiming to triple it by 2030, with assistance from multilateral development banks.

Guterres also emphasized the need to safeguard the COP29 Baku finance goals, capitalize on the loss and damage fund, establish global early-warning systems by 2027, invest in resilient food systems, and significantly reduce emissions this decade. Accelerating the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is vital, he noted, with 90% of last year's new power capacity coming from renewables.

Highlighting renewables as the most cost-effective source of new electricity in nearly every country, Guterres pointed out that ensuring all countries benefit requires financing and technology to aid developing nations. This support should focus on investing in grids, storage, and efficiency, and assisting workers and communities affected by the transition. Guterres concluded by calling for massive investment, debt relief, and greater access to concessional finance. He emphasized the need for reform in the global financial system to provide developing countries with representation that reflects the realities of today's global economy.