Climate crisis: UN chief lays out solutions blueprint for clean energy transition

United Nations / Florence Mondou | Secretary General António Guterres speaks at London Climate Action Week.

Mr. Guterres said: "They demand the same answer: a fast, fair transition to clean energy and a surge in adaptation, resilience and climate justice for those already facing climate harm."

Mr. Guterres noted that the world has just experienced the hottest eleven years on record, with climate disasters becoming more frequent, more destructive and more costly.

"The task before us is to strictly limit the overshoot, shorten its duration and bring temperatures down below 1.5°C as fast as possible," he said.

"Climate tipping points are like objects in a car's rear-view mirror: they are closer than they appear," he said.

Mr. Guterres said that the conflict in the Middle East had unleashed "the mother of all energy shocks", with the scale of the crisis comparable to the oil disruption of the 1970s and the energy turmoil following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The Secretary-General warned that the current "dual crisis" has exposed the limitations of a development model based on dependence on fossil fuels, which leaves global energy supplies vulnerable to conflict while deepening inequality and insecurity.

A just future from renewables

He noted that in much of the world, renewable energy has become the lowest-cost, fastest-deploying and most scalable source of new electricity.

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, in 2025 alone, existing renewable energy capacity saved the global economy hundreds of billions of dollars in fossil fuel costs and avoided more carbon dioxide emissions than the annual emissions of the United States, the European Union and Japan combined.

A seven-point plan for energy independence

First ,countries must accelerate emissions reductions, ensuring that emissions peak immediately, fall sharply this decade and reach net zero by 2050. He stressed that the G20, which is responsible for around 80 per cent of global emissions, must lead the way.

Mr. Guterres called on producers and consumers to work together to establish new global standards for the oil and gas industry and achieve near-zero methane emissions across the value chain.

Avoid locking in new fossil fuel dependence

The world still has powerful forces calling for more coal mines, more oil fields and expanded gas development, but the future growth engine is clean energy.

He urged governments to tax these windfall profits and use the revenue to support vulnerable families and communities and accelerate the transition to clean and affordable energy.

Increase transparency in the artificial intelligence industry

By 2030, AI data centres could use more electricity than all but five countries in the world, and their water consumption could meet the basic needs of 1.3 billion people in sub-Saharan Africa for a year.

Promote a just transition and climate adaptation

Producers, consumers, developing countries, workers and communities are all concerned about the impacts of the transition on income, jobs, energy security and future development, and these issues need to be addressed systematically.

He again urged developed countries to deliver on their commitments to double adaptation finance and establish a pathway to triple it.

Mr. Guterres said the current global financial system is failing the developing countries that need support most.

He called on developed countries to honour their commitments, ensuring that $300 billion in annual climate finance is delivered and taking steps to mobilize $1.3 trillion a year by 2035 to support developing countries.

Mr. Guterres stressed that science must be protected as the foundation of truth.

The UN launched the Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change to ensure that the public has access to reliable, trustworthy and science-based information.

Mr. Guterres said that for the climate agenda, this is both "the best of times" and "the worst of times".

This revolution can help countries reduce dependence on fossil fuel markets, expand energy access, improve energy security, create jobs, improve air quality, restore ecosystems and build a safer future.

"We have a huge opportunity and a great responsibility — to transform the story of this 'double crisis' into one of determination, fairness and shared progress."

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