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Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), emphasized the resilience of the global climate negotiation process despite mounting challenges. Speaking in Brazil, which is preparing to host COP30, Stiell highlighted the need for continued cooperation to combat runaway global warming.
US Withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement
Stiell’s remarks came amid the backdrop of the US, under President Donald Trump, withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement. The move has raised concerns about global climate cooperation.
Climate data released on Thursday showed January 2025 as the eighteenth month out of nineteen with temperatures above the crucial 1.5°C warming threshold, reaching 13.23°C—a stark 1.75°C above pre-industrial levels.
Stiell’s comments preceded the UN’s February 10 deadline for the submission of national climate plans targeting emissions reductions through 2035. Thus far, only seven nations—the UK, Brazil, US, Switzerland, New Zealand, UAE, and Uruguay—have submitted complete plans.
The Importance of Global Climate Cooperation
Stiell underscored the critical role of global climate cooperation, referencing the Rio Earth Summit of 1992, which established the UNFCCC. “Without UN-convened global climate cooperation, we would be headed towards up to 5°C of global heating—a death sentence for humanity as we know it,” he warned.
Highlighting the economic potential of clean energy, Stiell noted that USD 2 trillion flowed into clean energy and infrastructure investments last year—twice as much as fossil fuels. He emphasized that these investments are driven by economic incentives rather than virtue signaling.
Stiell cited India as a promising example, noting that increasing clean energy investments by 2% of GDP annually for 20 years could generate an average net increase of about 13 million jobs per year.
The Urgency of Climate Action
Stiell warned that no one is immune to climate impacts, regardless of wealth or geography. He pointed to examples such as wealthy investors in Los Angeles who lost properties to wildfires despite offering to pay for private firefighting services. Additionally, extreme heat has caused hundreds of billions of dollars in losses due to reduced labor productivity.
Observers note that US states, particularly California, are expected to maintain active engagement in climate talks. The UN’s strategy now emphasizes the self-interest aspect of clean energy investment.
“Not only the US, but also China and India are investing millions of dollars in clean energy because it makes business sense,” an observer tracking UN talks stated. “Even if they do not wish to do anything about the climate, they would still continue to invest.”
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