The Diplomat
The President of the Government Pedro Sánchez warned about 20 world leaders this Wednesday that the gravity of the current situation demands “decisive, responsible, and science-based” climate action.
Sánchez spoke via videoconference at a meeting of leaders convened by Brazilian President Luiz Inázio Lula da Silva and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, with the aim of addressing the climate crisis and accelerating the just transition. The president was accompanied by Third Vice President Sara Aagesen.
The videoconference, which brought together 17 world leaders, was convened by Guterres to prepare for COP30, which will be held in Belém, Brazil, next November. The COP is the Conference of the Parties, the highest decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
In his speech, Pedro Sánchez warned that the gravity of the current situation demands “decisive, responsible, and science-based action” and recalled the consequences of the DANA earthquake that struck Valencia last October, according to a press release from the Spanish government.
He also emphasized that the only way to address climate change is to act unitedly, with greater multilateralism, and stressed that COP30 will be key to meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement, with “ambitious national contributions.” He also affirmed that the Belém meeting is an opportunity to advance commitments to phase out fossil fuels and boost climate finance.
The President of the Government also emphasized that a green and just transition is not only essential to protecting the planet but also represents an economic opportunity. He asserted that “Spain’s leadership in economic growth” is due, in part, to its commitment to the climate agenda, the deployment of renewable energy, and the energy transition.
Finally, the Prime Minister warned that for COP30 to be a success, it will be essential to reach an ambitious agreement at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, which will take place this year in Seville.
