Published on: 2026-06-23
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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In his speech at the Climate Action Week, which opened in the capital of the United Kingdom, the UN Secretary-General emphasized that the world’s dependence on oil not only accelerates the climate crisis but also undermines the energy sovereignty of states. As an example, he cited large-scale disruptions in shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
“These crises may seem unrelated to each other, but they have a common source — fossil fuels. And the answer to them is also one: a rapid and fair transition to clean energy, as well as a large-scale strengthening of measures for adaptation, resilience, and climate justice for those already facing the consequences of climate change,” said Guterres.
He called on world leaders to show political will by setting an example through a decision to abandon ethylated gasoline and ban substances that destroy the ozone layer.
Brief: UN plan to achieve energy independence
– to reduce emissions in the short term: they must reach a peak already now and decrease to net zero by 2050, including through a global reduction in methane emissions;
– accelerate the development of clean energy: continue to increase the use of renewable energy sources, stop subsidizing projects related to fossil fuels, and impose additional taxes on the excess profits of companies in this sector to support vulnerable communities and energy transition;
– make artificial intelligence more environmentally friendly: require large AI companies to disclose the ecological footprint of their data centers and convert their energy sources to renewables by 2030;
– ensure a fair transaction: create jobs, support local communities, and take into account the benefits of developing countries;
– strengthen resilience to climate shocks: increase investments in adaptation measures, early warning systems, and protection of the most vulnerable population groups;
– ensure fair financing: expand access for developing countries to affordable sources of financing for transition to clean energy and sustainable development;
– to protect science and truth: to strengthen trust in scientific data, to fight against climate disinformation, and to support environmental journalists and human rights defenders.
Approaching a dangerous climate threshold
More than ten years have passed since world leaders in Paris agreed to limit the rise of global temperature to 1.5°C compared to the pre-industrial era – this agreement became an unprecedented example of international unity under the auspices of the UN.
Today, scientists working with the support of the UN warn: the average annual temperature in the coming years will likely exceed this threshold.
“Every degree matters,” emphasized the Secretary General.
He warned about the irreversible destruction of coral reefs, the melting of glaciers, changes in shorelines, and the forced resettlement of millions of people. According to him, there is a real risk that some small island states may disappear underwater.
In these conditions, he noted that the task of the global community is to maximally limit the exceedance of the target indicator, reduce the duration of this period, and as quickly as possible return the temperature growth indicator to below the 1.5°C mark.
Energy shock
Speaking about the situation in the Middle East, Guterres noted that any peaceful agreement would bring relief. He recalled the 60-day pause in hostilities for the continuation of negotiations between Iran and the USA in Switzerland.
However, the current crisis, according to the head of the UN, has already caused an energy shock comparable to the oil crisis of the 1970s and the consequences of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The consequences proved especially severe for developing countries. “This is a debt shock, a food shock, and a shock for development,” he said.
Renewable energy sources
At the same time, Guterres emphasized that today, unlike all previous energy crises, there is a clear path to exit.
Since 2010, the cost of solar energy has decreased by almost 90 percent, onshore wind energy by more than 70 percent, and energy storage systems by 95 percent.
According to the head of the UN, the development of renewable energy sources has already made it possible to avoid carbon dioxide emissions in a volume exceeding the total annual emissions of the USA, the European Union, and Japan.
Investments in clean energy today almost double investments in fossil fuels.
“Embargoes do not apply to sunlight, and it is impossible to block the wind,” said the Secretary-General.
Seven steps to energy independence
The plan presented by Guterres includes seven key directions of action:
1. Immediately stop the growth of emissions and achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Special responsibility lies with the G20 countries, which account for about 80 percent of global emissions.
“The world has rejected ethylated gasoline. We eliminated the substances that destroy the ozone layer. The next one should be methane.”
2. Accelerate the development of clean energy and abandon government support for new projects related to fossil fuels.
The head of the UN noted that eight of the largest companies in the industry received an additional $6.5 billion in profits in just the first quarter of this year and called on governments to tax these additional profits.
3. Require large IT companies to assess and publish a full ecological footprint of data centers – emissions, water consumption, and land use – and ensure a transition to renewable energy by 2030.
According to UN estimates, at this time data processing centers can consume as much water as is necessary to meet the basic needs of 1.3 billion inhabitants of countries in Africa south of the Sahara over the course of a year.
4. Support the transition to clean energy in a way that benefits workers, local communities, and developing countries. The UN Climate Change Conference COP-31 in Turkey should play an important role in this process.
5. Protect the most vulnerable population groups through adaptation and early warning systems.
Developed countries, emphasized Guterres, must fulfill the longstanding commitment to double adaptation financing and gradually triple it.
6. Ensure fair financing of energy transition.
Many developing countries face borrowing costs that are two to three times higher than those of developed economies.
According to the head of the UN, African countries have 60 percent of the best solar resources in the world, but receive only two percent of global investments in clean energy.
He also indicated the possibility of expanding the credit potential of multilateral development banks, including the World Bank, by $600–800 billion.
Developed countries, he added, must fulfill promises to finance the Loss and Damage Fund and the Green Climate Fund, as well as ensure the mobilization of 1.3 trillion dollars annually by 2035.
7. Protect science and fight against disinformation.
“Disinformation is spread deliberately – to slow down climate action, protect private interests, and undermine trust,” Guterres warned.
He also called to protect journalists and human rights defenders working in the field of climate and the environment, and to strengthen trust in scientific data and institutions.
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