“The era of fossil fuels is coming to an end. Clean energy is increasing. Let’s make the transition fair, quick and definitive“, said.
The ‘renewable energy revolution’ underway
The UN chief told world leaders that “the global energy landscape is changing at lightning speed.”
Green energy sources accounted for 90 percent of new energy capacity last year, while investment in them reached $2 trillion, or $800 billion more than fossil fuels.
“The renewable energy revolution is already here,” he said. “But we must go much faster and ensure that all nations share the benefits.”
The international community must ensure a “just, orderly and equitable” transition from fossil fuels, triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by the end of the decade.
Keep global warming under control
However, countries are falling short. Even if new national climate action plans are implemented, global temperature rise is still expected to exceed 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times.
“That means more flooding, more heat, more suffering, everywhere,” he warned.
“To return to below 1.5 degrees by the end of the century, global emissions must fall by almost half by 2030, reach net zero emissions by 2050, and become net negative thereafter..”
Focus on policies and people
The Secretary General highlighted five areas of actionfirst calling on countries to “align laws, policies and incentives with a just energy transition; and eliminate fossil fuel subsidies that distort markets and lock us in the past.”
Governments must “put people and equity at the center of the transition” and support workers and communities who depend on oil, coal and gas for their livelihoods, including through training and new opportunities.
This is particularly the case for young people and women.
Support developing countries
“Invest in grids, storage and efficiency. Renewables are increasing, infrastructure needs to catch up… quickly,” he continued.
Since “technology must be part of the solution, not a new source of tension,” clean energy must fuel all new electricity demand “including that of the data centers that drive the AI revolution.”
His final point highlighted the need to “unlock financing at scale for developing countries,” noting that Africa receives only two percent of global clean energy investment.
“We must support developing countries to implement their commitment to move away from fossil fuels: through stronger cooperation, investment and technology transfer, and calibrated against different capabilities and dependencies,” he said.