World Bank chief Jim Yong Kim warned Thursday that the United Nations global climate deal is in jeopardy, and said countries’ plans to continue using coal will quickly upend the landmark agreement.
“I am extremely worried right now,” said World Bank President Kim in opening remarks at a major climate summit being held in Washington. “We really, really have no time to waste.”
But he got even more dire.
“If Vietnam goes forward with 40 gigawatts of coal, if the entire region implements the coal-based plans that are in existence right now, I think we are finished,” he said.
“If that’s so, if they do it, and we don’t act quickly enough, that will spell disaster for us, for our children and for the entire planet,” said Kim.
The summit is meant to continue the momentum from last year’s climate change deal between 196 countries in Paris. The deal was signed by 175 nations last month, signaling their intent to move ahead with strict emission cuts by investing in renewables and phasing out the use of fossil fuels over the next several decades.
Kim’s comments were made right after U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said the world is on the path to a global clean energy economy.
“As great as Paris was, as excited and inspired as we were by the signing on April 22, I think we now have to wake up from the fog of success,” said Kim.
“Political successes have to lead quickly to action and implementation,” he added. “Political agreements are critical but we just have to recognize that they are just the beginning.”
