UN Chief Criticizes Global Inaction on Climate Change, Urges Accelerated Transition from Fossil Fuels

The UN's top official, António Guterres, criticized world leaders for their insufficient efforts to transition away from fossil fuel dependency. Speaking at a climate summit that followed the UN General Assembly, he highlighted the urgent need to accelerate climate action and warned that current trajectories point to an alarming 2.8°C rise in global temperatures since the industrial era began.

Guterres particularly urged nations that have profited most from fossil fuel usage to take stronger measures to cut emissions. He also critiqued the vague commitments made by corporations and financial organizations toward reaching carbon neutrality.

The summit saw participation from leaders representing 34 countries and several non-governmental organizations. California Governor Gavin Newsom and London Mayor Sadiq Khan were among those who openly criticized the fossil fuel industry for undermining political and scientific progress on climate action.

While leaders from Germany and the European Union brought more ambitious renewable energy pledges, notable absentees from the summit included high-emission countries. This absence came even as U.S. President Joe Biden warned of disastrous climate conditions should the global dependence on fossil fuels continue.

The conference occurred amid the backdrop of the world experiencing its hottest summer on record. Leading scientists have further indicated that we are on a path to exceed the 1.5°C rise in temperatures set as a long-term target in the 2015 Paris Agreement. Currently, global temperatures have already increased by 1.1°C since pre-industrial times.