Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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September 24, 2025 Climate and environment
Floods and record-breaking heatwaves in Europe have clearly demonstrated what scientists have been warning about for years: the climate crisis is growing faster than the measures needed to curb it. Against this backdrop, a climate summit convened by Secretary-General António Guterres is taking place at UN headquarters in New York on Wednesday, September 24.
A special event dedicated to High-Level Week The 80th session of the General Assembly will be a launching pad on the way to the 30th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP-30), which will take place in November in Belém, Brazil.
Ahead of COP30, all parties to the Paris Agreement must submit their new climate plans, or Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The climate summit aims to accelerate this process.
"Economics and science demand action"
In his opening remarks, Guterres reiterated that limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius by the end of the century is still possible. "Science demands climate action. So does economics," the UN chief emphasized.
According to him, transition to clean energy already delivers jobs, growth and sustainable development, provides access to clean and affordable electricity, strengthens energy security and reduces economies' dependence on volatile fossil fuel markets.
"Despite massive market-distorting fossil fuel subsidies, last year investment in clean energy was twice as high as in fossil fuels. The conclusion is clear: clean energy is competitive, and climate action is imperative," he said.
Preparing for KS-30
The Secretary-General recalled that the Paris Agreement has already achieved results: while ten years ago, warming was projected to be four degrees Celsius, current estimates point to 2.6 degrees Celsius—assuming full implementation of current national plans. However, this is not enough.
“We now need new plans for 2035 that go much further and much faster: delivering deep emissions reductions in line with the 1.5 degree Celsius target, covering all sectors and accelerating a just energy transition worldwide,” he said.
The Secretary-General outlined five key areas: clean energy, reducing methane emissions, protecting forests, reducing emissions from heavy industry, and climate justice, that is, supporting developing countries, which are least to blame for the crisis but are suffering the most.
High Stakes
The High-Level Week also includes discussions on solutions to combat climate change, bringing together national leaders, local authorities, businesses, and civil society. The discussions focus on five areas: reducing emissions and accelerating the transition to renewable energy; strengthening adaptation to natural disasters; financing for developing countries; increasing transparency and countering disinformation; and other interrelated issues, from food systems to a just transition. The findings of the discussions will be reflected in the outcome document.
According to the UN chief, today's summit is not a replacement for COP30, but its results will be decisive for the success of the meeting in Belém.
Experts and activists are monitoring three key signals during High-Level Week: whether the world's largest emitters will present plans with real commitments; whether climate finance will be expanded beyond symbolic pledges; and whether world leaders will acknowledge that expanding coal, oil, and gas production is incompatible with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
“Science demands action. The law obliges them to"The economy is forcing them. People are calling for them," the Secretary-General concluded.
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