World Leaders Clash Over Fossil Fuels and Climate Targets on Third Day of UN Talks

UPDATE - follow-up to Cop31 live: 'Fossil fuels must go the way of the dinosaurs' - UN chief hits out at industry lobbying: Global leaders addressed the third day of the UN climate talks, with several prominent national figures taking aim at fossil fuels and demanding faster action on global warming.

World Leaders Speak

President of Sudan Abdalfatah Alburhan called for greater investments in adaptation. President of Finland Alexander Stubb stated that climate change is chronically underrepresented on the agenda and noted that some conflicts have their roots in it. President of Slovenia Nataša Pirc Musar urged that a gradual transition away from fossil fuels must not become an excuse for continued delay. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen noted that Europe is on track to cut emissions by more than half by 2030, though a European Environment Agency report found current policies would reach 54%, just shy of the legally binding 55% target. President of the Marshall Islands Hilda Heine delivered a blunt warning about overshooting the 1.5C target and criticized the celebration of new fossil fuel resources. President of Tanzania Samia Suluhu Hassan warned that climate shocks cost 2 to 3 percent of her country's GDP each year. President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides warned against divisions in fighting global warming. President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev called safeguarding the planet a sacred responsibility, while President of Iraq Nazar Mohammed Saeed Amedi highlighted threats to his country's food and water security.

Context

International climate summits bring together nations from around the world to negotiate joint actions and commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These meetings serve as a key platform for smaller and climate-vulnerable countries to press wealthier and higher-emitting nations for financial and policy support.