Professor Chukwumerije Okereke, Director of the Centre for Climate Change and Development at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi State, has called on world leaders to ensure that the upcoming COP29 climate summit becomes a decisive moment for advancing global climate action and increasing climate finance.
In a statement released on [Date], Okereke warned that without a firm commitment to climate action, the world risks falling short of the critical 1.5°C temperature target set by the Paris Agreement. He emphasized the urgent need for developed nations to mobilize sufficient climate finance to meet the scale of the challenge, noting that developing nations are disproportionately affected by climate change.
Okereke highlighted the importance of ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in the upcoming updates, urging G7 and G20 nations to lead by example and recognizing China’s crucial role in global climate action. He expressed confidence in China’s ability to drive global progress towards a sustainable and equitable future, particularly through its support for climate-vulnerable nations and its role in establishing the Loss and Damage Fund at COP27.
The outcomes of COP29 and the decisions made by the global community this decade will significantly influence the trajectory of our civilization and collective future, according to Okereke.
