Baku, June 5 (IANS) With global temperatures at near-record levels and El Nino set to return, governments, businesses, communities, and individuals across the world on Friday marked World Environment Day, sounding the alarm on the urgent need to address climate change.

This year, Azerbaijan hosted the official commemoration of World Environment Day.

Extreme heat is one of the deadliest and fastest-growing climate threats to lives, livelihoods, and economies. With overshoot of the Paris Agreement goal of 1.5 degrees Celsius now almost inevitable and impacts escalating, the world must act #NowforClimate, cutting emissions and adapting to rising risks.

“This World Environment Day, warning signals are everywhere. The past 11 years have been the 11 hottest on record… The world is heading for a temporary overshoot above 1.5 degrees,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in his message for World Environment Day 2026.

He added that the task is to make that overshoot as small, short, and safe as possible – and rapidly bring temperatures back down.

“That means slashing emissions. Accelerating a just transition away from fossil fuels and towards renewables is the only sustainable path to lower costs and to real energy security. Cutting methane is one of the fastest, cheapest ways to limit near-term warming. Protecting forests, land, and seas. Helping communities adapt to the devastating impacts already here. And it means fulfilling climate finance promises to developing countries – to save lives, protect livelihoods, and strengthen economies,” he said.

“This is the moment to act, for our environment and for our future.”

At the official ceremony for World Environment Day in Baku, officials highlighted the need for urgent collective and individual action to stave off the worst impacts of climate change and adapt to a changing environment.

“As our planet continues to face down the devastating impacts of climate change, Azerbaijan is honoured to host World Environment Day 2026 and join calls to address this global crisis. The science is clear: every fraction of a degree of warming costs lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems – and no country is spared,” said Rashad Ismayilov, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources.

“This year’s focus on climate action could not be more timely. Azerbaijan is committed to nearly doubling its renewable energy capacity by 2030 and implementing a 1.5 degrees Celsius-aligned climate action plan alongside our partners. We call on governments, industries, and citizens worldwide to match ambition with urgent action.”

Azerbaijan, like countries across the world, is working to address climate impacts, including the shrinking of the Caspian Sea, the world’s largest inland body of water.

Alongside conservation efforts, the government has pledged a 40 per cent reduction in emissions by 2035 and a 30 per cent renewable energy target by 2030. Azerbaijan has also shown global leadership in multilateral environmental processes, including hosting the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) and, more recently, the World Urban Forum.

–IANS

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