UN Chief Demands Clear Timelines for Fossil Fuel Exit
António Guterres urged nations to set specific dates for leaving fossil fuels, citing rising emissions and the need for financial support.
Key points
- Guterres urged nations to create credible roadmaps with clear timelines to end fossil fuel use.
- Climate finance must reach $1.3 trillion annually by 2035, with $300 billion for developing countries.
- The G20, responsible for 80% of emissions, must lead the transition to renewable energy.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on countries to set clear timelines for leaving fossil fuels. He made this appeal on Wednesday during the UN Climate Summit in New York.
Guterres stated that humanity currently possesses the tools to end the fossil fuel age. He warned that this is the last generation able to avert climate catastrophe. According to UN News, the summit brought together leaders from major economies and vulnerable nations.
Emissions rise despite available solutions
The UN chief noted that greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise. Scientists expect the world will temporarily exceed the 1.5°C warming limit. This limit was set under the 2015 Paris Agreement.
Guterres criticized the continued expansion of fossil fuels. He argued that this defies science and economics. He said fossil fuel companies are banking windfall profits while everyday people pay the cost.
However, he emphasized that renewable energy is now the cheapest source of new electricity. He described clean energy as having moved from an alternative to an unstoppable force.
Financial targets for climate transition
The Secretary-General called for at least $300 billion a year for developing countries. He stated that overall climate finance should reach $1.3 trillion annually by 2035. Developed nations must take the lead in this effort.
Guterres urged that polluters should pay for the damage they cause. He also called for easing debt burdens when disasters strike. He stressed that developing countries need a stronger voice in the international financial system.
Practical initiatives for energy infrastructure
The summit announced new initiatives for power grids and critical minerals. These measures aim to remove practical barriers slowing climate action. A renewed push on early warning systems was also highlighted.
Guterres warned that growing electricity demand, including from artificial intelligence, must be met with renewables. He called for better grids and storage solutions. He emphasized that no single country can decarbonize the global economy alone.
