Greta Thunberg: not phasing out fossil fuels is ‘death sentence’ for world’s poor

Climate activist says only ‘rapid and equitable’ phaseout will keep temperatures within 1.5C limit

Rich countries are signing a “death sentence” for millions of poor people around the world by failing to phase out fossil fuels, the climate activist Greta Thunberg has told governments.

She warned on Tuesday that with annual greenhouse gas emissions at an all-time high, only a “rapid and equitable” phaseout of fossil fuels would keep global temperatures within the scientifically advised limit of 1.5C above pre-industrial levels.