Boris Johnson Urges World Leaders to Take Climate Action Amid Brazilian President's Covid Denial

Strategic Insights -

During a meeting at the United Nations in New York, Boris Johnson told Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, a notorious climate change sceptic, that the commitments to tackle the climate crisis are "nowhere near enough." The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of vaccines as the best tool to fight the coronavirus pandemic and highlighted the crucial role of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. Johnson's call for increased climate action comes as the gap between what industrialized nations have promised and what they are actually delivering remains "vast."

Key Takeaways:

  • Boris Johnson urged world leaders to increase their efforts to hit the target of giving 100 billion dollars (£73 billion) a year in support to developing nations to cut their carbon emissions and protect themselves against environmental change.
  • The Prime Minister stressed the importance of vaccines in fighting the coronavirus pandemic, specifically highlighting the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.
  • Johnson warned that the lives of children in developing nations are not worth the hassle of reducing domestic coal consumption, if world leaders fail to take action on climate change.
  • He emphasized that the UK will host the Cop26 climate summit in November and expects world leaders to redouble their efforts to hit the 100 billion dollar target.
  • Johnson downplayed the chances of hitting the 100 billion dollar target, saying there is only a "six out of 10" chance of achieving it.
  • US President Joe Biden's climate envoy, John Kerry, hinted that the US could announce more funds to support climate action.
  • Johnson will meet Amazon boss Jeff Bezos on Monday and has vowed to tell him the online giant must pay its fair share of taxes in the UK and address working standards for employees.

Statistics:

  • 600,000: The number of Brazilians killed by the coronavirus pandemic, according to Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
  • 550 billion dollars: The gap between what industrialized nations have promised and what they are actually delivering in terms of climate finance, according to OECD figures.
  • 79.6 billion dollars: The amount of climate finance mobilized in 2019, according to OECD figures.
  • 2050: The year by which Brazil aims to reach net zero emissions.
  • 2030: The year by which Brazil aims to end illegal deforestation in the Amazon.

Sources:

  • Boris Johnson's speech at the United Nations General Assembly, as reported by multiple outlets.
  • John Kerry's interview with Sky News, as reported by multiple outlets.
  • The Prime Minister's meeting with Amazon boss Jeff Bezos, as reported by Downing Street.
  • The OECD's climate finance figures, as reported by multiple outlets.