UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged industrialised nations to take greater responsibility for climate damage, insisting that “polluters must pay”. ..reports Asian Lite News Desk
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for greater climate justice for developing nations, urging industrialised countries to shoulder a fair share of the financial burden caused by global warming. Declaring that “Polluters must pay”, Guterres demanded a new international framework to ensure countries with the highest historical emissions take greater responsibility for addressing the climate crisis.
Speaking at the UN Climate Change Conference in Antalya, Turkey, on Wednesday, Guterres proposed a new Climate Justice Compact based on shared responsibility, shared security and shared benefits.
“We need a new Climate Justice Compact, based on shared responsibility, shared security and shared benefits,” Guterres said. “The principle of common but differentiated responsibilities must apply, and all countries must do their part.”
He stressed that countries’ obligations should reflect their historical greenhouse gas emissions, arguing that those which gained the greatest economic benefits from fossil fuels should also bear a larger share of the costs associated with climate damage.
The UN chief also criticised the fossil fuel industry, pointing out that the nine largest oil companies had generated $95 billion in profits during the previous quarter alone.
How much climate finance should developed nations provide?
Guterres called on developed countries to deliver at least $300 billion annually by 2035 to help developing nations tackle climate impacts. He also urged them to establish concrete plans and clear milestones to at least triple adaptation finance by the same year.
“Developed countries must lead in delivering at least $300 billion a year by 2035, and set out concrete plans with clear milestones to at least triple adaptation finance by then,” he said.
“The $1.3 trillion goal must become real finance flowing to developing countries, and this demands that every source of finance pull its weight.”
He emphasised that private investment should complement government funding and support from multilateral development institutions to accelerate the green transition in developing economies.
Guterres also called for stronger cooperation among countries in the Global South to improve access to climate-related technology and capital.
His remarks echoed calls made by India at the Antalya summit on Tuesday for greater international accountability and stronger financial support to address the impacts of climate change.
Narendra Bhooshan, Secretary of India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, urged countries to work towards a fair, equitable and ambitious outcome at the conference, formally known as the Conference of the Parties (COP).
Bhooshan highlighted the importance of public financing from developed nations, saying it remained essential to help developing countries strengthen their climate adaptation measures and address their vulnerabilities.
Guterres warns against divisions in global climate action
The UN secretary-general warned that trade barriers, technology monopolies and geopolitical rivalries were obstructing effective international climate action.
He called for greater cooperation between countries, stressing that financial support, technology sharing and collective efforts were necessary to address the growing climate crisis.
A total of 197 countries are represented at the Antalya conference. However, the United States, historically the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitter, is boycotting the event following decisions by President Donald Trump, who has dismissed climate change initiatives.
The summit comes amid growing demands from developing nations for greater financial assistance and accountability from wealthier countries, particularly those with a larger historical contribution to global emissions.
