Antalya:Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has issued a stark warning that the world is not meeting its climate commitments. She urged governments to intensify efforts to keep global warming within the 1.5C (2.7F) target at the COP31 UN climate conference held in Antalya, Türkiye.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, Mottley emphasized that the current trajectory fails to maintain the 1.5C goal, cautioning that future generations will bear the brunt of these shortcomings. She described the overshoot as a "debt of heat" that needs to be repaid to protect future generations.

Mottley highlighted that even minor increases in temperature have significant impacts, threatening coral reefs, food production, and livelihoods. She cited the catastrophic floods in Nepal, which resulted in over 1,400 deaths in August, alongside climate disasters in Jamaica, California, and Europe. Additionally, she linked the humanitarian crisis in Gaza to climate issues, asserting that climate change disregards geopolitical boundaries.

The Prime Minister called for enhanced climate financing, debt relief for vulnerable nations, and increased investment in clean energy solutions. She also stressed the importance of reducing methane emissions by nearly half by 2030, which could avert approximately 0.3C of warming by the 2040s and potentially save 250,000 lives each year.

Mottley encouraged a global coalition of 1.5 billion people to ensure the 1.5C target remains a priority, urging citizens to hold governments and financial institutions accountable. She emphasized the need for action before the next COP32 meeting. Mottley also expressed gratitude to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the people of Türkiye for their hospitality during the summit.