STATEMENT BY THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ON THE IPCC WORKING GROUP I REPORT ON THE PHYSICAL SCIENCE BASIS OF THE SIXTH ASSESSMENT

Today’s IPCC Working Group 1 Report is a code red for humanity. The alarm

bells are deafening, and the evidence is irrefutable: greenhouse gas emissions from

fossil fuel burning and deforestation are choking our planet and putting billions of

people at immediate risk. Global heating is affecting every region on Earth, with

many of the changes becoming irreversible.

The internationally agreed threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius is perilously close.

We are at imminent risk of hitting 1.5 degrees in the near term. The only way to

prevent exceeding this threshold is by urgently stepping up our efforts, and

pursuing the most ambitious path.

We must act decisively now to keep 1.5 alive.

We are already at 1.2 degrees and rising. Warming has accelerated in recent

decades. Every fraction of a degree counts. Greenhouse gas concentrations are at

record levels. Extreme weather and climate disasters are increasing in frequency

and intensity. That is why this year’s United Nations climate conference in

Glasgow is so important.

The viability of our societies depends on leaders from government, business

and civil society uniting behind policies, actions and investments that will limit

temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. We owe this to the entire human family,

especially the poorest and most vulnerable communities and nations that are the

hardest hit despite being least responsible for today’s climate emergency.

The solutions are clear. Inclusive and green economies, prosperity, cleaner air and

better health are possible for all if we respond to this crisis with solidarity and

courage. All nations, especially the G20 and other major emitters, need to join the

net zero emissions coalition and reinforce their commitments with credible,

concrete and enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions and policies before

COP26 in Glasgow.

We need immediate action on energy. Without deep carbon pollution cuts now, the 

1.5-degree goal will fall quickly out of reach. This report must sound a death knell 

for coal and fossil fuels, before they destroy our planet. There must be no new 

coal plants built after 2021. OECD countries must phase out existing coal by 

2030, with all others following suit by 2040. Countries should also end all new 

fossil fuel exploration and production, and shift fossil fuel subsidies into 

renewable energy. By 2030, solar and wind capacity should quadruple and 

renewable energy investments should triple to maintain a net zero trajectory by 

mid-century. 

Climate impacts will undoubtedly worsen. There is a clear moral and economic 

imperative to protect the lives and livelihoods of those on the front lines of the 

climate crisis. Adaptation and resilience finance must cease being the neglected 

half of the climate equation. Only 21 per cent of climate support is directed 

towards adaptation. I again call on donors and the multilateral development 

banks to allocate at least 50 per cent of all public climate finance to protecting 

people, especially women and vulnerable groups. COVID-19 recovery spending 

must be aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement. And the decade-old 

promise to mobilize $100 billion annually to support mitigation and adaptation in 

developing countries must be met.

The climate crisis poses enormous financial risk to investment managers, asset 

owners, and businesses. These risks should be measured, disclosed and mitigated. 

I am asking corporate leaders to support a minimum international carbon price and 

align their portfolios with the Paris Agreement. The public and private sector must 

work together to ensure a just and rapid transformation to a net zero global 

economy.

If we combine forces now, we can avert climate catastrophe. But, as today’s report 

makes clear, there is no time for delay and no room for excuses. I count on 

government leaders and all stakeholders to ensure COP26 is a success.