UNSG says: Path out of climate hell is paved with renewables

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

23 April – Today, UN Secretary-General António Guterres met with Heads of State and Government to discuss strengthening global efforts to tackle the climate crisis and accelerate a just energy transition.

When speaking with media, Guterres emphasized that while fossil fuel interests may stand in the way, no group or government could stop the clean energy revolution, and that the path out of climate hell is paved with renewables. 

In response, Romain Ioualalen, Global Policy lead at Oil Change International, said: 

“We welcome the UNSG reminding countries of their obligation under the Paris Agreement to submit climate plans aligned with the 1.5°C survival limit. Geopolitical volatility is no excuse for more delay when the world is burning and the case for leaving fossil fuels behind has never been clearer.

“Countries must come to COP 30 equipped with plans to immediately end fossil fuel expansion and accelerate the phase out of fossil fuel production and use. Not doing so would be a catastrophic failure of leadership. So far we have seen rich, Global North fossil fuel producing countries like Canada or Norway submit climate plans that completely disregard their outsized responsibility to phase out fossil fuels first and fastest and to provide adequate public finance for developing countries to implement their own clean energy transition. Rich countries can free up trillions for a just transition at home and abroad by ending fossil fuel handouts, making polluters pay, and changing unfair financial rules – what’s lacking is political will. This collective failure endangers the Paris Agreement and, more importantly, the livelihoods of billions.

“Brazil, as this year’s COP host, must ask countries, starting with the richest ones, to explain how they are going to accelerate the collective decision to transition away from fossil fuels from COP 28. Belem must be a COP for accountability and equity, not for more empty commitments.”