Tag: United Nations

COP28: UN report reveals nations falling short on Paris Agreement and climate change goals

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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A recent analysis by UN Climate Change revealed that current national climate action plans fall short of the necessary steps to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, as outlined in the Paris Agreement. The report urges more robust measures to redirect the trajectory of global emissions and avert the severe consequences of climate change.

The Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change, Simon Stiell, emphasised the inadequacy of current efforts, stating, “Today’s report shows that governments combined are taking baby steps to avert the climate crisis. And it shows why governments must make bold strides forward at COP28 in Dubai, to get on track.”

Stiell further stressed the pivotal role of COP28 as a turning point, urging nations to not only agree on stronger climate actions but also to demonstrate how they will implement them.

The report highlights the need for a decisive global stocktake at COP28, a critical juncture for nations to accelerate their efforts and meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change emphasises the necessity of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by 2030 to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The report indicates that while emissions are no longer increasing after 2030, they still do not exhibit the rapid downward trend required by scientific recommendations.

“If the latest available NDCs are implemented, current commitments will increase emissions by about 8.8%, compared to 2010 levels,” warns the report. This marginal improvement over last year’s assessment underscores the pressing need for more ambitious actions. By 2030, emissions are projected to be only 2% below 2019 levels, emphasising the need for accelerated efforts to achieve a peak in global emissions before 2030.

The report outlines key factors for success, stating that the conditional elements of the NDCs depend on enhanced financial resources, technology transfer, technical cooperation, and capacity-building support, along with market-based mechanisms.

COP28 President Designate, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, underscores the historical importance of COP28, stating, “COP28 must be a historic turning point in this critical decade for Parties to seize the moment of the Global Stocktake to commit to raise their ambition and to unite, act and deliver outcomes that keep 1.5C within reach while leaving no one behind.”

The report also addresses long-term low-emission development strategies, indicating that if fully implemented, these strategies could result in a 63% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 compared to 2019 levels. However, uncertainties and delays in net-zero targets remain a cause for concern.

The UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) will take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from November 30 to December 12 this year.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

World Cities Day 2023: History, significance and theme

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Promoting sustainable urban development has necessitated due to the rapid urbanisation in today’s modern world across countries. Improving the living environment in cities and urban areas, while minimising the effects of urbanisation on the environment, has led to establishment of a special day to initiate various actions for sustainable development.

World Cities Day is observed on October 31 every year to highlight the urgency of international cooperation to address the challenges of urbanisation globally. The day was established by the United Nations in 2014.

The main event of World Cities Day takes place in a different city each year and the day focuses on a specific theme. The host city for World Cities Day 2023 event is the Municipality of Uskudar in Istanbul, Turkiye.

World Cities Day History

During its session dated December 27, 2013, the UNGA passed a resolution establishing World Cities Day. The first celebrations took place on October 31, 2014. This global day was created to implement the outcome of the UN Conference on Human Settlements held in 1976.

The next year marked the introduction of the UN-Habitat programme for the sustainable development of the cities aligned to the Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11). Urban October is an annual programme that begins on the first Monday of October and ends on October 31, which coincides with World Cities Day.

World Cities Day Significance

Urbanisation, being the indicator of national economic growth, is also accompanied by some social, economic, demographic and environmental challenges. These include displacement of original inhabitants, deforestation, loss of wildlife habitats, health problems, food problems, and pollution, among others. World Cities Day acts as a place for all the actors concerned with local and international township development to meet.

World Cities Day 2023 Theme

The World Cities Day 2023 theme is ‘Financing a Sustainable Urban Future for all’ which looks into the ways of implementing the transformative ways in urban planning and the required fiscal decentralisation. As part of the World Cities Day activities, the UN bodies and several international organisations host various events to raise awareness about the challenges of urbanisation.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

India abstains from UN vote as all elements of its stand not included in resolution: Sources

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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India abstained from the UN vote on ceasefire in Gaza as all elements of India’s stand were not included in the resolution, people in the know told CNBC-TV18.

The sources said that the resolution did not explicitly condemn the October 7 terror attacks perpetrated by Hamas on Israel. They said India has also called for the immediate and conditional release of the hostages. The country has also conveyed strong concerns regarding the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza and urged the parties to de-escalate and work towards a negotiated two-state solution, the sources said.

The UN General Assembly approved a nonbinding resolution on Friday calling for a humanitarian truce in Gaza leading to a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas rulers.

It was the first UN response to Hamas’ surprise October7 attacks on Israel and Israel’s ongoing military response and vow to obliterate Hamas.

The 193-member world body adopted the resolution by a vote of 120-14 with 45 abstentions, after rejecting a Canadian amendment backed by the United States, to unequivocally condemn the terrorist attacks by Hamas and demand the immediate release of hostages taken by the militant group. India was among the nations that abstained on the resolution. It also for unhindered humanitarian access in the Gaza strip.

The 193 members of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), which met in a resumed 10th Emergency Special Session, voted on the draft resolution submitted by Jordan and co-sponsored by more than 40 nations including Bangladesh, Maldives, Pakistan, Russia and South Africa.

Besides India, countries that abstained included Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Ukraine and the UK.

The Jordanian-drafted resolution did not make any mention of the militant group Hamas, with the US expressing outrage at the “omission”.

Also Read: Israeli military says its ground forces are expanding activity in Gaza

Before the general assembly voted on the resolution, the 193-member body considered an amendment proposed by Canada and co-sponsored by the US to the text.

The amendment proposed by Canada asked for inserting a paragraph in the resolution that would state that the general assembly “unequivocally rejects and condemns the terrorist attacks by Hamas that took place in Israel starting on 7 October 2023 and the taking of hostages, demands the safety, well-being and humane treatment of the hostages in compliance with international law, and calls for their immediate and unconditional release”.

India voted in favour of the amendment along with 87 other nations, while 55 member states voted against it and 23 abstained. The draft amendment could not be adopted, having failed to obtain a two-third majority of members present and voting.

President of the 78th session of the UNGA, Dennis Francis, announced that the draft amendment could not be adopted.

The Jordanian-drafted resolution called for an immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities.

It also demanded the immediate, continuous, sufficient and unhindered provision of essential goods and services to civilians throughout the Gaza Strip, including but not limited to water, food, medical supplies, fuel and electricity.

The draft resolution stressed the imperative, under international humanitarian law, of ensuring that civilians are not deprived of objects indispensable to their survival.

It also called for “immediate, full, sustained, safe and unhindered humanitarian access” for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East and other United Nations humanitarian agencies and their implementing partners.

The draft resolution also demanded humanitarian access for the International Committee of the Red Cross and all other humanitarian organisations.

This should be done by upholding humanitarian principles and delivering urgent assistance to civilians in the Gaza Strip, encouraging the establishment of humanitarian corridors and other initiatives to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians, according to the resolution.

The US expressed outrage at the resolution not naming Hamas and called it an “omission of evil”.

“As you’ll notice, two key words are missing in the resolution before us. The first is Hamas. It is outrageous that this resolution fails to name the perpetrators of the October 7th terrorist attacks: Hamas. Hamas. It is outrageous,” US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield, in her remarks before the vote on the resolution, said.

She added that another key word missing in the resolution is “hostage”.

“This resolution makes no mention of the innocent people – including citizens of many of you in this room – many of you here today who have citizens who are being held hostage by Hamas and other terrorist groups,” Thomas said.

“These are omissions of evil. And they give cover to, and they empower, Hamas’ brutality. And no member state – no member state – should allow that to happen. You should not let it stand,” she said.

The US envoy said it is for these reasons that Washington has co-sponsored an amendment put forward by Canada to the draft resolution “that corrects these glaring omissions”.

The resolution demanded that all parties immediately and fully comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, particularly in regard to the protection of civilians and civilian objects, as well as the protection of humanitarian personnel and to facilitate humanitarian access for essential supplies and services to reach all civilians in need in the Gaza Strip.

It also called for the rescinding of the order by “Israel, the occupying power, for Palestinian civilians and United Nations staff, as well as humanitarian and medical workers, to evacuate all areas in the Gaza Strip north of the Wadi Gaza and relocate to southern Gaza.” The resolution called for the immediate and unconditional release of all civilians who are being illegally held captive, demanding their safety, well-being and humane treatment in compliance with international law.

With inputs from PTI

Also Read: UN Security Council fails again to address Israel-Hamas war, rejecting US and Russian resolutions

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

UN body to meet to discuss ways to combat online dark patterns

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is slated to convene a meeting with several countries at 6 PM IST (Indian Standard Time) on Thursday (October 26) to curb violation of consumer rights by employment of online dark patterns. With consumers across the world experiencing problems with online dark patterns, the right to know and to make an informed choice, intergovernmental experts will discuss ways to protect consumers from dark patterns.

The Indian government has specified 10 dark patterns so far, which include false urgency, basket sneaking, confirm shaming, forced action, subscription trap, interface interference, bait and switch, drip pricing, disguised advertising and nagging. In the public response to draft guidelines for dark patterns, the government has also received suggestions to include online behaviours of trick questions, SaaS billing and rogue malwares in the list of dark patterns while laying down guidelines to deal with them.

Nidhi Khare, Special Secretary with the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA), told CNBC-TV18 that the government has observed certain algorithmic ways on online sale of products which don’t seem fair at the outset, which includes saddling customers with online services and subscriptions without their consent. To increase awareness to identify and combat dark patterns, India has also launched a Dark Patterns Buster hackathon which will continue till March 15, 2024.

Also Read:India invites public feedback on draft guidelines to combat online dark patterns

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

United Nations Day 2023: History, significance and theme of world body as it celebrates 75th anniversary

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The United Nations acts as a pioneer for international peace and promotes the idea of a fairer world to make the globe a better place to live in. The organisation was established in 1945 and completed its 75th anniversary this year. United Nations Day is an important observance that is celebrated annually on October 24, marking the adoption of the United Nations Charter in the year 1945. This basic document set the foundation of the United Nations and gave hope to people across the globe who wished they would be united and peaceful. Thus, the UN serves as the last hope for unity in the world that has immeasurable legitimacy, convening power, and normative influence.

United Nations Day History

The United Nations Conference on International Organization was held in San Francisco in 1945 by representatives of about 50 nations. They were tasked to draw up the United Nations Charter and it was adopted by the signatories. Five out of 10 were permanent UN Security Council members. When the agreement was signed by a majority, the United Nations assumed operations. Since then, the UN has been central to the process of international cooperation, peace, and development. It acts as a catalyst in the transformation advocating for human rights, freedoms, and justice.

Significance of United Nations Day

This year UN Day has an added importance because it commemorates the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) with the theme of “Equality, Freedom and Justice for All”. The declaration, consisting of 30 articles, acts as a blueprint for the UN. This played a positive role in initiating the ratification of a multitude of human rights treaties globally.

The 75th anniversary of the UDHR is an occasion for advancing the cause of universal, indivisible human rights and promoting advocacy and accountability. It highlights the continuing significance of human rights as an internationally recognised cornerstone.

United Nations Day Theme 2023

Individuals and nations are drawn towards the United Nations Day 2023 theme of “Equality, Freedom and Justice for All.” This brings us back to the UN’s constant loyalty to these basic principles noted in the UDHR. The theme symbolises a rallying cry that calls upon the UN and its supporters to rededicate themselves to human rights and strive towards a world where equality, freedom and justice are reality rather than mere ideals.

The UN Day 2023 marks the journey of the international organisation from its establishment in 1945 till today when it is a sign of hope and unity. This year’s theme encourages everyone to continue the search for a world that functions under these values to live a life based on these principles so the world can be a better place to reside.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Israel-Hamas War | UN General Assembly to resume 10th Emergency Special Session on October 26

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The United Nations General Assembly will be convene its 10th Emergency Special Sessin on Thursday, October 26.

UNGA President Dennis Francis tweeted that following the request of the member states on the resumption of the session, he will be convening it.

Following the request by Member States on the resumption of the 10th Emergency Special Session of the @UN General Assembly, I will be convening the #UNGA Emergency Special Session on Thursday, 26 October 2023.

✉️: https://t.co/CYFxhk7N4P pic.twitter.com/Ra3OFfd7Jl

— UN GA President (@UN_PGA) October 23, 2023

As per the UN websitte, an emergency special session can be convened within 24 hours. “If not in session at the time, the General Assembly may meet in emergency special session within twenty-four hours of the request therefor. Such emergency special session shall be called if requested by the Security Council on the vote of any seven members, or by a majority of the Members of the United Nations,” the UN website states.

Also Read: Hamas frees two elderly women in latest Gaza hostage release

This comes in the backdrop of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, which started on October 7 after the militant organisation fired a barrage of rockets and missiles from Gaza Strip and invading into Southern Israel.

In February last year, the 193-member UN General Assembly had convened its rare and unprecedented emergency special session after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This came after the 15-nation Securityy Council voted on a resolution to refere the crisis to the most representative body of the world organisation.

Also Read: Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi to visit US this week

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty: History, significance, theme, and all you need to know

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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One of the major issues that the world faces on a global scale is poverty which manifests in hunger and malnutrition, leading to limited access to education and other basic services and social discrimination. Across the globe, close to 44 million people are presently living in poverty. In order to address this issue and draw attention to the global issue of poverty, a day has been dedicated as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

Observed every year on October 17, the day aims to create awareness related to poverty and violations of human rights on the basis of people’s financial and cultural backgrounds.

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2023: Theme

According to the United Nations, the theme for the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty has been set as “Decent Work and Social Protection: Putting Dignity in Practice for All.” The theme draws on first-hand testimonials showing that those trapped in extreme poverty often work long, gruelling hours in dangerous, unregulated conditions but still cannot earn enough income to support themselves and their families.

The theme focuses on the need for universal access to decent work and social protection as a means to uphold human dignity for all.

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty: History

The history of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty dates back to October 17, 1987. On this date back in 1987, thousands of people gathered at the Trocadéro in Paris, proclaiming that poverty is a violation of human rights, and affirming the need to come together to ensure that these rights are respected.

Since that day, people from all walks of life and backgrounds have been coming together every year on October 17 to renew their commitment and show their solidarity with those suffering from poverty.

In December 1992, the General Assembly declared that October 17 be observed as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty: Significance

This year marks the 31st anniversary of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. It holds major significance considering the rising poverty in the world. It not only aims to respect the poor sections of society but also to recognise their struggles.

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

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International Day of the Girl Child 2023: Theme for this year and why it is observed

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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As women and girls continue to face gender-based discriminations even in the 21st century, the continuing pursuit for equal rights and opportunities achieve even more significance. This challenge cannot be overcome by just getting them what they want but by providing a girl with what they deserve.

With the aim of raising awareness and educating people about the rights of girls, the International Day of Girl Child is observed every year on October 11. The day is marked by many events, seminars and discussions on issues like child marriage, violence against women and access to education, among others.

International Day of the Girl Child 2023: History

A concept of recognising rights of girls started to take shape in 1995 at the World Conference on Women in Beijing, China. Later, on December 18, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared October 11 to be observed as the International Day of the Girl Child to recognise the challenges that girls face across the world.

International Day of the Girl Child 2023: Significance

The idea behind celebrating International Day of the Girl Child is to raise awareness on the rights of women and girls and help them in recognising their potential. According to United Nations data, girls are the primary victim of sexual exploitation and nearly one in four girls globally are not in education, or employment. These issues need urgent attention by all for a better tomorrow.

International Day of the Girl Child is observed to recognise the achievements of girls and women worldwide.

International Day of the Girl Child 2023: Theme

To celebrate the day, a new theme is decided every year. The theme for International Day of the Girl Child 2023 is “Digital Generation. Our generation.” The theme aims to raise awareness among the global community to understand the disadvantages that girls face in this digital age.

 Also Read:World Bank’s focus will include food insecurity and gender equality, says President Ajay Banga

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

UN authorises second malaria vaccine, experts say not enough to stop spread of disease

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The World Health Organization has authorised a second malaria vaccine, a decision that could offer countries a cheaper and more readily available option than the world’s first shot against the parasitic disease.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the UN health agency was approving the new malaria vaccine based on the advice of two expert groups, recommending its use in children at risk of the disease.

“As a malaria researcher, I used to dream of the day we would have a safe and effective vaccine against malaria. Now we have two,” Tedros said.

Oxford University developed the new three-dose vaccine with help from the Serum Institute of India. Research suggests it is more than 75 per cent effective and that protection is maintained for at least another year with a booster. Tedros said the shot would cost about USD 2 to USD 4 and could be available in some countries next year if funders agree to buy it.

Earlier this year, regulatory authorities in Ghana and Burkina Faso approved the vaccine.

“This is one more tool we will now have, but it’s not going to replace bed nets and spraying insecticides,” said John Johnson with Doctors Without Borders. “This is not the vaccine that’s going to stop malaria.” Johnson was not part of the WHO expert group that gave the Oxford vaccine the green light.

In 2021, WHO endorsed the first malaria vaccine in what it described as a “historic” effort to end the devastating toll the mosquito-transmitted disease has on Africa, home to most of the world’s estimated 200 million cases and 4,00,000 deaths.

But that vaccine, known as Mosquirix and made by GSK, is only about 30 per cent effective, requires four doses and protection fades within months.

WHO experts, however, said the data to date on the GSK and Oxford-developed vaccines does not show which one is more effective.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, one of the GSK vaccine’s biggest backers, stepped back last year from financially supporting Mosquirix’s rollout directly, saying it was less effective than officials would like and that funding would be better used elsewhere.

The foundation said it has continued helping with the vaccine rollout by supporting Gavi, a global vaccines alliance that is buying the GSK shots for distribution in poorer countries.

“The big difference with these two vaccines is access,” Johnson said, noting that only about a dozen countries are scheduled to get limited quantities of the GSK vaccine in the next few years.

GSK has said it can only produce about 15 million doses a year. The Serum Institute has said it could make up to 200 million doses of the Oxford vaccine a year.

Alister Craig, an emeritus professor at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, said he would recommend countries trying to get the GSK vaccine switch to the Oxford vaccine instead.

If the new vaccine is rolled out widely across Africa, it could dramatically reduce the amount of severe illness and deaths caused by malaria in a few years, Craig said.

Neither of the malaria vaccines stops transmission so immunisation campaigns alone won’t be enough to stop epidemics. Efforts to curb the disease are also being complicated by increasing reports of resistance to the main drugs used to treat malaria and the spread of invasive mosquito species.

“You would be foolish to think that this vaccine is going to be the end of the malaria story,” Craig said.

In a separate decision, WHO’s expert group also authorised the dengue vaccine made by Takeda, which was previously approved by the European Union drug regulator.

There is no specific treatment for dengue, common in tropical Latin American and Asian countries. While most infections are mild, severe cases of the mosquito-spread disease can lead to internal bleeding, organ damage, and death.

WHO’s expert groups advised that the Takeda dengue vaccine be used in children aged six to 16 in countries with a high prevalence of the disease.

Previous studies have shown Takeda’s vaccine was about 84 per cent effective in preventing people from being hospitalised with dengue and about 61 per cent effective in stopping symptoms four years after getting immunised.

Nearly 1,000 people have been killed by dengue this year in an ongoing epidemic in Bangladesh, the country’s worst outbreak of the disease.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Key emitters absent as attendees demand fossil fuel phase-out at UN Climate Ambition Summit

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ Climate Ambition Summit on Wednesday highlighted two key aspects — the conspicuous absence of leaders from major emitter nations and a unanimous call by attending leaders to phase out fossil fuels.

Guterres’ “no-nonsense summit”, ahead of COP28 in Dubai, came at a time when the world is reeling from the devastating impacts of climate change and probably the hottest year on record.

“Humanity has opened the gates to hell,” Guterres said during his opening remarks, warning that the world is heading for a 2.8-degree-Celsius warming in a business-as-usual scenario.

However, leaders from some of the world’s largest polluting nations, the US and China, were conspicuously absent from the summit, convened to reinvigorate efforts to combat the climate crisis.

Notable omissions also included leaders from the UK, Japan, France and India. Among the top carbon emitters, only the European Union received an invitation.

Ahead of the summit, a report by Oil Change International revealed that five Global North countries — the US, Canada, Australia, Norway and the UK — account for 51 per cent of the planned expansion from new oil and gas fields through 2050.

The report says these rich nations must halt expansion immediately, prioritise production phase-outs and contribute fairly to global energy transition funding. Failure to do so could result in 173 billion tons of carbon pollution, equivalent to over 1,100 new coal plants’ lifetime emissions or more than 30 years of US annual carbon output, being released.

Though the Climate Ambition Summit represented a critical opportunity for the largest emitters of carbon to ratchet up ambition, only those least responsible and most harmed by the climate crisis made an effort.

COP28 President Sultan Al Jaber, addressing the closing session, said the recent technical report on the first-ever Global Stocktake reconfirmed the world is off track and that countries must act with solidarity to “turn pledges into projects” and “go after the gigatonnes and not each other”.

The gathering saw nearly every head of state emphasising the necessity of phasing out fossil fuels.

Prominent figures such EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Chile President Gabriel Boric, Tuvalu Prime Minister Kausea Natano and Republic of Marshall Islands President David Kabua all stressed the urgency of this transition.

Key issues such as tripling of global renewable energy capacity and phasing out fossil fuels are expected to take centrestage at COP28 in November-December.

Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced questions about his country’s recent expansion of oil production.

He responded by committing to introduce oil and gas emissions cap regulations by the year-end and exceeding Canada’s current methane reduction target of 75 per cent by 2030.

Leaders present at the summit outlined comprehensive actions across their economies — from promoting renewables to electrifying transportation, regulating methane emissions, eliminating fossil fuel subsidies and investing in adaptation.

Chile President Boric said, “The climate crisis is a fossil fuel crisis, so we need to leave fossil fuels behind. That, in very specific terms, means we have to react to the greenwashing that major businesses are undertaking.” Tuvalu Prime Minister Natano said, “The longer we remain addicted to fossil fuels, the longer we commit ourselves to mutual decline.” Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, an advocate for reforming international financial institutions through the Bridgetown Agenda, called on more leaders to take concrete steps in reforming multilateral development banks and the role of finance and insurance companies in climate action.

She urged the world to address the climate crisis with the same urgency as the conflict in Ukraine and said borrowing money to respond to climate loss and damage is almost a crime against humanity.

Kenya President William Ruto proposed a universal fossil fuel tax to fund resilience, adaptation and transition efforts.

Oliver Bate, the CEO of Allianz, emphasised the urgency of phasing out coal and significantly reducing oil and gas use.

In a passionate address, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared the climate crisis as a fossil fuel crisis and criticised the oil industry’s manipulation.

“This climate crisis is a fossil fuel crisis … It’s not complicated. It’s the burning of oil. It’s the burning of gas. It’s the burning of coal. And we need to call that out. For decades, the oil industry has been playing each and every one of us in this room for fools,” he said.

Amanda Starbuck, a member of the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Expert Group on Net Zero, said the summit was a platform for first “movers and leaders” but the most notable piece was who was “not” in the room.

“We have heard hundreds of financial institutions claim that they are going ‘Net Zero’ but few have demonstrated real credibility and implementation — which was the price of a ticket to the summit,” she said.

.Also Read: Delhi to explore cloud seeding to check air pollution in winter: Environment Minister

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow