United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has reiterated his call for a rapid global transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, emphasizing its role as the most cost-effective source of new electricity in nearly every country. Speaking at the Energy Transition Roundtable in Belém, Brazil, ahead of the COP30 climate change conference, Guterres stressed the need for a fair, fast, and final transition.
The global energy landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, with green energy sources accounting for 90% of new power capacity last year and attracting $2 trillion in investment, surpassing fossil fuels by $800 billion. Guterres described this as the “renewables revolution,” but cautioned that the pace of change must accelerate to ensure all nations benefit.
Despite progress, countries are falling short of their climate goals. Even with the implementation of new national climate action plans, global temperatures are still expected to rise above 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, leading to more frequent natural disasters and suffering. To limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius by the end of the century, global emissions must be reduced by nearly half by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050.
Guterres outlined five key areas for action, including aligning laws and policies with a just energy transition, eliminating fossil fuel subsidies, and prioritizing people and equity in the transition process. He also emphasized the need for investment in grid infrastructure, energy storage, and efficiency to support the growing demand for renewables. Additionally, he stressed the importance of unlocking finance for developing countries, which currently receive only a small fraction of global clean energy investment.
The Secretary-General’s call to action comes as the international community prepares to gather for the COP30 conference, where climate change and energy transition will be high on the agenda. With the window for action narrowing, Guterres’ emphasis on a rapid and equitable transition to clean energy serves as a reminder of the urgent need for collective action to address the global climate crisis.