In an exclusive interview prior to the climate meeting in Brazil, António Guterres urges the world's leaders to immediately change course to avoid passing a number of so-called tipping points. If these are passed, ecosystems such as the Amazon and coral reefs risk collapsing.
We do not want to see the Amazon transformed into a savannah, but it is a real risk if we do not drastically reduce emissions, he says to the newspaper.
Guterres says that it is "inevitable" that the 1.5-degree target will be missed, but that it can be temporary if the world quickly changes direction. He also demands that civil society and indigenous peoples have greater influence than corporate lobbying at climate meetings.
We know what the lobbyists want – to increase their profits, with humanity as the price.
The countries' current plans are estimated to only reduce emissions by 10 percent, when 60 percent is required to keep the 1.5-degree target alive.
COP30 is taking place between November 10 and 21.
