António Guterres stated that clean energy has ceased to be merely an alternative and has become an unstoppable force, urging countries to develop firm and concrete plans to phase out fossil fuels.
After the world experienced the hottest August in history, Guterres spoke out against oil industry giants, accusing them of viewing the atmosphere as an 'open repository' in the long term.
Putting forward a new call to action, António Guterres sought to convey a message of hope, emphasizing that renewable energy is the cheapest, fastest, and safest source for generating new electrical power almost everywhere.
He once again strongly urged states to raise their greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and disclose clear strategies for ending the use of fossil fuels. Guterres stressed that the current generation possesses the tools to conclude the fossil fuel era and is the last one who can prevent climate catastrophe.
The appeal by the Secretary-General, whose mandate ends at the end of December, was reinforced by Germany, the largest European economic power, adopting a roadmap in this direction several hours earlier.
These events take place against the backdrop of a summer when the consequences of climate change have intensified worldwide, manifesting as record heatwaves, devastating wildfires, deadly floods, and accelerated glacier melt.
