On the second day of the United Nations Climate Conference (COP 29), UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on world leaders to intensify efforts to shield communities from the impacts of the climate crisis.
“I urge you to focus on three priorities. First, emergency emissions reductions. To limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, we must cut global emissions 9% every year. By 2030, they must be down 43% on 2019 levels. Unfortunately, they are still growing at the present moment. Now, at this COP, you must agree to rules for fair, effective carbon markets that support that fight,” he said.
In recent years, Afghanistan has also been vulnerable to climate change. Decreasing rainfall, droughts, locust infestations, and deadly floods are some of the climate-related challenges Afghanistan faces.
Sayed Mohammad Sulaimankhil, an environmental activist, told TOLOnews: “We have recently seen the devastating effects of climate change, such as recent floods in Baghlan province, severe droughts in central Afghanistan, global warming, and a drop in groundwater levels. All of these are climate-related challenges in Afghanistan.”
Najibullah Sadeq, an expert on environmental and climate issues, said: “There is hope that Afghanistan’s voice, unheard of two years ago, will be recognized this year. I am hopeful that Afghanistan can gain access to budget mechanisms and receive funding from international funds.”
Representatives from 198 member countries of the UN Climate Change Convention, along with a delegation from the Islamic Emirate, are attending COP29 to discuss climate change and ways to mitigate it.