UN chief urges faster shift to renewables to avoid climate disaster

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the global energy landscape is changing at lightning speed, with renewable energy leading the way.

Speaking at the Energy Transition Roundtable during the Belém Climate Summit on November 7, he said last year 90 per cent of new power capacity came from renewables.

"Global investment in clean energy reached two trillion US dollars - eight hundred billion more than fossil fuels," Guterres said. "Renewables are now the cheapest source of new electricity in nearly every country. They are powering prosperity and empowering communities long left in the dark."

He highlighted the economic impact of clean energy, noting that every dollar invested in renewables creates three times more jobs than a dollar invested in fossil fuels. "Clean energy jobs now outnumber fossil fuel jobs worldwide. The renewables revolution is here," he said.

"But we must go much faster - and ensure all nations share the benefits," Guterres added.

At COP28, countries agreed to transition away from fossil fuels in a just, orderly, and equitable manner; to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030. "The mandate is clear - now we must close the delivery gap," the UN chief said.

He warned that even if all new national commitments are fully implemented, the world is still on track for more than 2°C of warming, resulting in more floods, heat, and suffering worldwide. Scientists now say overshooting 1.5°C is inevitable, starting at the latest in the early 2030s. How high and how long the overshoot lasts, he said, depends on the speed and scale of global action today.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres outlined five key actions to accelerate the global energy transition. He called for clarity and coherence, urging countries to align laws, policies, and incentives with a just energy transition while eliminating fossil fuel subsidies that distort markets.

Guterres emphasised the need to put people and equity at the centre of the transition. He said workers and communities dependent on coal, oil, and gas must be supported with training, protection, and new opportunities, especially for young people and women.

He highlighted the importance of infrastructure investment, noting that grids, storage, and efficiency must be expanded rapidly to keep pace with the surging growth of renewable energy.

The UN chief also stressed that all new electricity demand must be met with clean power, including the energy used by data centres driving the AI revolution. Technology, he said, must be part of the solution, not a new source of strain.

azizjst@yahoo.com