Young people around the world would push governments to implement ambitious climate goals. “What they are calling for is a planet that continues to be habitable. (…) That’s not asking too much,” emphasized Van der Bellen on Tuesday in Geneva.
“Nevertheless, most of them think that their climate concerns are not being taken seriously by politicians,” said Van der Bellen, referring to an Austrian survey that found 75 percent of those under 30 were of this opinion. “Dear colleagues, we must hear your call and we must take it seriously. Because you are right: the climate crisis is, as UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, an “existential threat to us all”.”
Alluding to the struggle at the UN climate conference COP28, Van der Bellen described it as a “duty” to phase out the burning of fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the greatest possible extent. The necessary measures must be taken to adapt to the climate emergency, hold polluters to account and show solidarity with the most vulnerable. “I hope for meaningful discussions in this regard at the ongoing COP28.”
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In this context, Van der Bellen also highlighted the “irreplaceable role” of NGOs. “They are the engines of progress and the ones who hold us accountable when it comes to implementing what was agreed on paper. They are the ones leading the fight to protect our planet.” In doing so, they would also be putting their own personal safety at risk, he complained about the attacks and even killings of activists. “It is our responsibility to protect and promote the right to participation, freedom of expression and freedom of assembly,” said the president, referring to the climate protests.
In his speech, the Federal President also praised the “groundbreaking” resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly last year, according to which every person, everywhere, has the right to live in a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. This would have been “unthinkable” when the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted 75 years ago, “because the disastrous consequences of the climate crisis and its consequences for human rights were not yet anchored in people’s minds,” said Van der Bellen, who spoke of an “obvious” The connection between human rights protection and the triple crisis of global warming, biodiversity loss and pollution.
