Belém, Brazil – The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has sounded the alarm on the climate crisis, warning that the world is heading for more than 2°C of warming, despite progress in renewable energy.
In a keynote address at the Belém Climate Summit’s energy transition roundtable, Guterres emphasized the urgent need for climate action, stating that “the fossil fuel age is ending. Clean energy is rising. Let us make the transition fair, fast, and final.”
Guterres highlighted the significant progress made in renewable energy, noting that 90% of new power capacity came from renewables last year, and global investment in clean energy reached $2 trillion, surpassing fossil fuels. However, he stressed that this progress is not enough to meet the 1.5°C target, and that the world is heading for a catastrophic 2°C warming.
The UN chief outlined five key actions to accelerate the energy transition:
– Align laws and policies: Support a just energy transition and eliminate fossil fuel subsidies that distort markets and lock countries into the past.
– People-centered transition: Support workers and communities dependent on coal, oil, and gas, providing training, protection, and new opportunities.
– Invest in infrastructure: Develop grids, storage, and efficiency to keep pace with renewables growth, ensuring a reliable and resilient energy system.
– Clean power for new demand: Meet new electricity demand with clean energy, including from data centers driving the AI revolution.
– Unlock finance for developing countries: Support developing countries in transitioning to clean energy, tearing down barriers, cutting the cost of capital, and crowding in private investment.
Guterres stressed that Africa receives only 2% of global clean energy investment, and urged international cooperation to address this disparity. He emphasized the need for a fair and equitable energy transition, ensuring that no country is left behind.
The Belém Climate Summit aims to strengthen political coordination ahead of the COP30 negotiations, with leaders from 153 delegations attending. The summit is focused on accelerating climate action, promoting sustainable development, and ensuring a just transition to a low-carbon economy.
The UN chief’s warning comes as the world grapples with the climate crisis, with 2025 on track to be the second- or third-warmest year on record. Scientists have warned that overshooting 1.5°C is now inevitable, and that immediate action is needed to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change.
The outcome of the Belém Climate Summit is expected to inform the global climate agenda, including the COP30 negotiations in Brazil in 2025.
Source: www.climatewatchonline.com
