Published on: 2026-07-24
Source: United Nations
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July 24, 2026 Climate and Environment
Accelerating the global energy transition is necessary not only to combat climate change but also to strengthen economic and national security. This statement was made by Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), at an event during the UN General Assembly in New York.
According to him, clean energy contributes to economic growth, job creation, and strengthening security. Ongoing conflicts not only lead to huge human losses but also disrupt the functioning of global energy markets, raising prices for billions of people.
“Clean energy is safe energy,” Steel emphasized. Countries that have made significant progress in developing renewable energy sources, including Spain and Pakistan, were partially shielded from the worst effects of the current fossil fuel price crisis.
Threat to food security
Steele noted that conflicts, economic downturns, and climate shocks are significantly undermining food security. Climate change also exacerbates the impacts of El Niño, and fertilizer shortages pose an additional threat to crops. As a result, food prices are rising, and the most vulnerable populations are facing food shortages and hunger.
“A world dependent on coal, oil, and gas is a world of economic uncertainty, unjustified expenses, and conflicts,” said the Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC.
This year, the expenses of Southeast Asian countries on importing energy carriers are expected to reach 160 billion dollars. At the same time, continued use of fossil fuels will contribute to global warming, causing hunger, displacement, and resource shortages — factors that can provoke new conflicts.
Styl called for simultaneously strengthening countries’ resilience to climate disasters and accelerating the energy transition.
A faster and fairer transition
Renewable energy sources are becoming cheaper and more accessible, and corresponding projects can be implemented faster, noted the head of the UN RCIK. According to him, the global energy transition is already irreversible, but it should happen faster and be more equitable so that all countries can benefit from its advantages. At the same time, it is necessary to support states and communities whose economies have historically depended on fossil fuel revenues. The development of renewable energy should also be accompanied by electrification and increased energy efficiency.
In particular, the largest companies working in the field of artificial intelligence need to significantly improve energy efficiency. Steele recalled the UN Secretary-General’s call to ensure that all data centers operate on renewable energy by 2030.
Furthermore, at the UN climate conference (COP-28), countries agreed to accelerate the transition from fossil fuels, triple renewable energy capacity, and double the rate of energy efficiency improvement by 2030.
International cooperation
Steele emphasized that fulfilling these obligations requires expanding international cooperation, including creating cross-border energy networks, integrating national energy systems, and developing common standards.
As an example, Steele cited Turkey, which will chair the upcoming COP-31 conference and has announced a goal of reaching an electrification level of 35 percent by 2035.
According to the Executive Secretary, electrification is especially important for small island developing states. For instance, in 2021, Eastern Caribbean countries annually spent over 440 million dollars on importing fossil fuels, which accounted for 15 percent of total imports and 17 percent of their trade balance.
The need for financing
In order for developing countries to benefit from the energy transition and protect themselves from the impacts of climate change, they need access to financing.
Developed countries must fulfill their commitment to triple adaptation financing and ensure the allocation of $300 billion per year by 2035, while simultaneously following a plan to increase total climate financing to $1.3 trillion annually.
Steele also called on multilateral development banks to expand concessional financing, guarantees, and lending to attract private capital to countries where perceived risks increase project costs. According to him, states need not only support for individual initiatives but also systemic investments in strengthening power grids, improving legislation, and preparing projects capable of attracting financing.
“A faster energy transition must become one of the main tasks of governments and a key part of national security strategies,” Steel said. He emphasized that investments in renewable energy and resilience serve the interests of every country, and that actions taken today will form the foundation of long-term peace and security.
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