UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell / PHOTO/UN Climate Change/ Diego Herculano.
By PATRICK MAYOYO
newshub@eyewitness.africa
In a compelling speech at the high-level closing event of COP30 in Belém, Brazil, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell called for urgent and transformative action on climate change, emphasising that the time for delay is over.
He urged nations and stakeholders to move swiftly to turn commitments into measurable results for both people and the planet.
Speaking to an audience of world leaders, climate experts, and advocates in Belém, Brazil, Stiell underscored the progress made during the conference but emphasised that the time for complacency is over.
“This is no moment for self-congratulations – this is the moment to step up,” he said, rallying the international community to deliver real-world results that would directly benefit people, economies, and the planet.
Stiell highlighted several key achievements from the conference, notably the substantial financial commitments and collaborative frameworks designed to accelerate the global transition to a low-carbon economy.
“COP30 has racked up an impressive scorecard of real-world climate actions,” said Stiell, noting major commitments including a trillion-dollar investment into clean energy and grids, a global plan to quadruple sustainable fuel production, and significant moves to foster green industry innovation.
These actions, he pointed out, would not only reduce emissions but also create millions of new jobs, strengthen economies, and improve lives around the world.
Among the most significant outcomes of the conference was the new pipeline for adaptation investments. This will help vulnerable nations cope with the unavoidable impacts of climate change, a key issue for countries on the frontlines of the climate crisis.
Stiell also acknowledged the increasing momentum in national climate plans, with many nations adopting “whole-of-economy” and “whole-of-society” approaches to climate action, an evolution that he described as “transformational” and “unthinkable” only a few years ago.
Central to Stiell’s address was a call to intensify efforts through the Climate Action Agenda, a framework that aligns national policies with global climate goals. The agenda, Stiell noted, has become a vital tool in ensuring that the formal negotiations process is linked directly to practical, on-the-ground climate solutions.
“The Climate Action Agenda is not a nice-to-have on the side. It is mission critical,” Stiell affirmed, stressing its importance as a key element of the Paris Agreement. He also highlighted how the collaboration between negotiators and real-world economic actors is essential to achieving the Agreement’s targets.
The Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action, a coalition that has played a pivotal role over the past decade, was also lauded for its work in bringing together businesses, cities, regions, investors, and civil society; including Indigenous Peoples, to drive progress even in the face of geopolitical challenges.
Stiell commended the leadership of the Climate High-Level Champions, Nigar and Dan, for their efforts in maintaining the momentum of the Climate Action Agenda. Their work, he said, had been instrumental in ensuring that the vision for a sustainable, inclusive future continues to evolve, with a focus on long-term solutions that involve all sectors of society.
Despite the significant strides made during COP30, Stiell was clear that much more needs to be done. “The responsibility now lies with all of us – Parties and non-Parties, public and private sectors, national and sub-national implementers, to deliver results fast, fairly, and at scale,” he said.
Stiell urged that the focus now shift from pledges to tangible action. He warned that every moment of delay in addressing climate change comes at a steep cost, particularly for the world’s most vulnerable populations who are already bearing the brunt of rising temperatures and extreme weather events.
“We must close the gap between commitments and delivery,” he stated. “The signals from the Climate Action Agenda must translate into accelerated action across every sector.”
The UN Climate Change Executive Secretary made it clear that climate cooperation, now more than ever, must stand firm. “We must serve the interests of every nation, every economy, and every person,” he concluded, as he called on the global community to act with urgency and commitment in the face of the climate emergency.
As COP30 draws to a close, the message from Simon Stiell was unequivocal: while there have been significant steps forward, the real challenge lies in translating commitments into action.
With billions of people around the world depending on the success of global climate initiatives, the need for fast, fair, and large-scale climate solutions has never been more pressing.
With the support of both the public and private sectors, the work of non-Party stakeholders, and the leadership of climate champions, the world may yet stand a chance of meeting the ambitious targets of the Paris Agreement and safeguarding a livable planet for future generations.
