"Understand Frustration": UN Official On Greta Thunberg 'Blah Blah' Remarks

Niklas Hagelberg, Coordinator of UN Environment's sub-programme on Climate Change said, "I am also frustrated".

Environmental activist Greta Thunberg's recent remarks against world leaders on not doing enough on climate change are also leading to reactions from the United Nations. A senior official from UN Environment today said that he understands and resonates with Ms Thunberg's comments but it is a complicated subject and everybody needs to work harder to change the situation.

Niklas Hagelberg, Coordinator of UN Environment's sub-programme on Climate Change said, "I am also frustrated. By now the science has been clear for years. It has been clear for longer than I have lived on this planet and I am 47 years old. But it's a very complex issue that we are talking about. It is a common atmosphere so every emission goes into the same pot. It comes from everything - from our food systems to how we move around. I understand the "blah blah". I feel like that many times and we need to work harder. From individuals to private sector and governments, everybody needs to pull up their socks."

Mr Hagelberg made the remarks while responding to questions from a group of journalists from around the world, during a virtual address.

He also highlighted that unification towards the issue gets harder as each country comes to the table with its own interests. He said, "There is an Article called Article 8 under the Paris Agreement... Article 8 on "Loss and Damage" and its being negotiated. It is connected to the finance issue. It is currently being discussed but its turning out to be one of the most difficult things and I don't know if countries will be able to agree on it. Each of these countries when they come for negotiation have a different position, different interests, different circumstances and it is difficult for them to find that common ground. I think that is what largely Greta with her "blah blah blah" comment referred to. That you all keep on talking. But the truth also is that one country maybe sinking, the other's GDP might be heavily dependent on fossil fuels, especially countries in the Middle East and it is an overhaul of their entire economy. With some countries, 90 per cent of their GDP is dependent on fossil fuels. We as United Nations would never go out and say that a specific country is a problem but yes sharing of common ground is complex in nature."