It is a critical decade for the world in terms of fighting climate change, according to Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin (SDP).
The PM made the comments during an address to attendees of the COP27 United Nations Climate Change Conference, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt on Monday evening.
Following a stream of addresses by leaders from around the world, Marin was the final speaker on Monday.
She said that in order to avoid an environmental catastrophe, climate goals need to be acted upon.
"The science is clear. If we do not act now this is only a preview of what is to come. This is the critical decade — each year and each action count," she told the conference.
Marin also highlighted that the 1.5 C degree limit agreed upon at the Paris Climate Accords in 2015 cannot be implemented without help from both the public and private sectors, noting that Finland has set the ambitious goal to become climate neutral by 2035.
"Climate change is the biggest global security challenge we face. However, ongoing wars and violence in different parts of the world are magnifying its impact. Also in Europe, we are witnessing grave violations of international law and the UN Charter, which undermine international security and stability and erode our capacity to work together to find solutions to pressing global problems," she continued.
Russia's war on Ukraine distracts
Marin noted that Russia's deadly invasion of Ukraine has distracted the world from the important issue of climate change.
"Russia’s attack on Ukraine is a serious breach of the United Nations Charter. Russia’s illegal war affects not only Ukraine but also the entire rules-based international order, right when we should be acting together against the great challenges of our times. It is Russia’s war of aggression that has caused the global food and energy crisis," she said.
The PM added that shifting away from fossil fuels would also be beneficial to matters other than the climate crisis.
"A green energy transition away from fossil fuels is not only an answer to climate change, but also to energy security. We must make sure this transition happens in a just way, creating new jobs and better opportunities for people everywhere," she said.
COP27, which started on Monday, is to continue for nearly two weeks until 18 November.
Marin is leading the Finnish delegation during the first week of the conference. She will also hold bilateral meetings and attend high-level events on topics such as the just transition, climate and forests, and early warning systems.
Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Maria Ohisalo (Green), is to lead the delegation over the second week of the conference. Minister of Social Affairs and Health Hanna Sarkkinen (Left) will also attend COP27 events, according to a government statement.
The conference's chief aim is to keep the 1.5 degree target reachable. However, according to countries’ current commitments and actions, global warming is set to rise to 2.4 to 2.6 degrees, the government said.
"We have again witnessed a year when temperatures have been record high in many parts of the world and emissions have kept growing. More ambitious action is needed fast to turn global emissions into a decrease and limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. Especially the world’ largest economies need to do more," Minister Ohisalo said in the statement.