Speaking at the Local Climate Action Summit, Guterres said that the success of COP28 will also be measured in towns, regions and states around the world.

Local leaders often go further and faster than their national governments to address the climate crisis, the high representative acknowledged.

Guterres welcomed initiatives at these levels to reduce the use of fossil fuels, create green jobs, clean polluted air and invest in sustainable infrastructure and public transport systems.

However, he insisted on the need to develop comprehensive and detailed transition plans on the road to energy transition at local levels.

At the same time, he called for a seat for community and city representatives at the table of national governments when developing climate policies and regulations.

“The success or failure of these new national climate plans will be measured at the local level, and you must be involved every step of the way,” he said.

Finally, the secretary general called on representatives to join the renewable energy revolution with the global commitment to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

“We are accelerating toward a three-degree temperature rise, and we still show no signs of slowing down. At the same time, developing countries are left without the support they need to adapt to the carnage around them and leapfrog to a renewable future,” he warned.

At COP28, the world must put on the brakes, urged the UN’s top official as he called for “changing the rules of the game, thinking big.”

“Let us unite and work as one to protect all communities from the climate crisis and drive the renewable, sustainable and equitable future that people and the planet deserve,” he said.

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