UN climate chief Simon Stiell (Photo: Reuters)

In a speech that warned that global warming is slipping down politicians’ agendas, Mr. Stiell said countries still have a chance to make greenhouse gas emissions tumble, with a new generation of national climate plans. "But we need these stronger plans now," he said.  

Stiell said the G20 – who generate 80% of global emissions – urgently need to step up. He called for more climate financing to be raised through debt relief, cheaper financing for poorer countries, and new sources of international financing, such as a tax on shipping emissions.

The main task for this year’s UN climate negotiations in Baku, Azerbaijan, is for countries to agree on a new target for climate financing to support developing countries who are struggling to shift away from fossil fuels.