Read-out of Secretary-General's remarks to the G-20 leaders' working lunch in Toronto
Statements | Ban Ki-moon, Former Secretary-General
“The risks –and costs –of inaction on climate change grow each year. The more we delay, the more we will pay,” said the Secretary-General.
He said it was essential that the G20 members recognize, publicly, the important outcomes of Copenhagen as the basis on which the UNFCCC negotiations could move forward. “Hard-won agreements cannot be ignored,” he said.
He said it would not be quick or easy to reach a comprehensive global agreement. But it would be possible to achieve a meaningful, realistic result in Cancun.
The Secretary-General encouraged the G20 members to fulfil national mitigation pledges and to be more ambitious.
He also called on industrialized countries to make good on their promises for climate financing. Delivery of the 'fast-start' funds beginning this year was a critical test of credibility and for building trust between countries. He said there also needed to be concrete progress toward realizing the longer-term $100 billion per year pledge made at Copenhagen. He said the High-level Advisory Group on Climate Change Finance would play a useful role in this regard.
The Secretary-General said progress on financing had to be matched by credible action on mitigation along with accountability and transparency.
He urged G20 members to continue scaling up investments in clean energy and the green economy.
The Secretary-General said he welcomed G20 plans for phasing out fossil fuel subsidies. “The sooner, the better,” he said.