UN’s Guterres appeals for ‘robust’ net zero plans
On day four of the COP29 climate talks in Baku, UN chief António Guterres insisted on the need for “robust” net zero plans to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial era.
In a direct appeal to the leaders of cities, regions, businesses and financial institutions to commit to “deep decarbonization” policies, the Secretary-General urged them to lead “a massive global effort” to ensure that the amount of greenhouse gas produced is no more than what is removed from the atmosphere, by 2050.
“You’re out in front” in the bid to help “consumers, investors and regulators understand what net zero looks like,” Mr. Guterres said.
He was speaking at a high-level meeting of non-State actors to spotlight the best strategies for action, in line with key recommendations issued in a report by the UN chief’s Office in 2022.
Mr. Guterres stressed that net zero plans must not rely on carbon offsets, including so-called “Scope 3” or indirect emissions that are often linked to accusations of greenwashing.
“Now is the time to fast-track, not backtrack,” the UN chief said, calling for ambition and transparency. “Not greenwashing.”
Torture is never justified, insists UN rights chief, as key accord turns 40
It’s been 40 years since countries adopted the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, but the fundamental principle that nothing ever justifies torture is under threat.
That’s the message from UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, who expressed alarm on Thursday that the world has become “more violent and more polarized”.
“Over 120 conflicts rage globally and every one of them is a chaos machine,” Mr. Türk told the Committee gathered in Geneva. “Hate speech and discrimination are more and more prevalent, and entire communities are denounced and scapegoated,” he said, before highlighting a “pushback” against time-honoured values and human rights protections.
“Torture, the deliberate infliction of physical agony and psychological terror and trauma on defenceless adults and children is a vile, heinous act that has absolutely no place in our world. It is never justified, it is always abhorrent; and we have a clear legal and moral duty to prevent it.”
Four decades since the adoption of the Convention Against Torture, it has been ratified by 174 out of 193 Member States of the United Nations.
Despite this high level of support for the international treaty, Mr. Türk appealed to all countries “to recommit to their obligations” to prevent torture. “Its eradication requires constant vigilance and constant effort, he said.
Gaza: Israeli war tactics condemned as aid still blocked from reaching north
Intense Israeli military operations have continued in Gaza as UN humanitarians reported that multiple attempts to deliver lifesaving aid to besieged areas in the north of the enclave had been either “denied or impeded”.
An update from the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, said that in the last two days alone, “six attempts to deliver lifesaving assistance to besieged areas in North Gaza governorate” have been blocked.
The missions aimed to bring food and water to Jabalia, Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya, along with protection and psychosocial support for children deeply traumatized by 13 months of bombardment.
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said that people remained trapped in residential buildings and were hiding from the ongoing military operations around them, while they ran out of food.
According to OCHA, approximately 79 per cent of the Gaza Strip remains under active evacuation orders. “Palestinians continue to be directed to areas in and around Al Mawasi in southern Gaza that lack basic infrastructure and essential services,” the UN aid agency said.
Latest data from the Gazan health authorities indicated that at least 43,700 people have been killed and over 103,000 wounded in Israeli military attacks since 7 October 2023.
Daniel Johnson, UN News
Music composed and produced by Joachim Harris. All rights reserved
Source of original article: United Nations (news.un.org). Photo credit: UN. The content of this article does not necessarily reflect the views or opinion of Global Diaspora News (www.globaldiasporanews.com).
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