UN URGES MAJOR PUSH TOWARD LOW‑CARBON ENERGY AS RETURN OF FOSSIL FUELS SLIDES
In a strong call to action, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has urged world leaders to ramp up efforts toward low-carbon energy systems, warning that the era of fossil fuels is fast fading. His remarks come amid new data indicating a sharp global shift toward renewable energy and away from fossil fuel dependency. Speaking at the UN Headquarters in New York, Guterres declared, “The fossil fuel age is waning. A clean energy future is not only necessary, it is inevitable.”
The Secretary-General’s address focused on the urgent need for governments, corporations, and financial institutions to align with climate targets set under the Paris Agreement. Guterres emphasized that global carbon emissions must drop by at least 42% by 2030 to stay within the 1.5°C warming limit. “We are at the tipping point,” he said. “Decisions taken today will define our planet’s trajectory for generations to come.”
Recent reports show that global investment in renewable energy hit $2 trillion in 2024, far outpacing fossil fuel investments by a margin of over $800 billion. Additionally, clean energy sources like wind and solar now account for more than 90% of new electricity capacity added globally. Technological advances have also made renewables more affordable, with solar and wind energy now cheaper than coal or gas in most regions.
The UN’s call for a “major push” includes specific targets: tripling renewable energy capacity, doubling energy efficiency, and ending all new coal plant approvals in OECD countries by 2030 and globally by 2040. Guterres also pressed fossil fuel companies to present credible net-zero transition plans, including full-scope emissions targets.
A key aspect of the UN’s climate strategy is supporting developing nations in making the energy transition. Guterres highlighted the need for reform in global financial systems, especially multilateral development banks, to ensure that affordable capital flows into clean energy projects in the Global South. “No country should be left behind in the clean energy revolution,” he stressed.
Another major concern raised by the UN is the environmental cost of the AI and tech boom. Guterres urged technology firms to power 100% of their data centers with renewable energy by 2030, warning that the growing demand for digital infrastructure could undermine climate progress if powered by fossil fuels.
Despite progress, fossil fuels continue to receive significant subsidies—over $1 trillion in 2023 alone. The UN is calling for those subsidies to be redirected toward sustainable energy development.
As global attention turns to COP30 in Brazil later this year, the UN’s message is clear: time is running out, but solutions are within reach. Guterres concluded his remarks with a warning and a hope: “The path to a livable future lies in our hands. Let us choose courage over complacency, action over apathy, and unity over division.”
The world stands at a crossroads between a decaying fossil fuel legacy and a promising low-carbon future. The UN’s urgent appeal is not just for action—but for transformation.