With national economies around the world still so dependent on fossil fuels and regional or geopolitical crises, UNECE has been bringing countries together in Geneva and elsewhere to discuss ways to wean ourselves off fossil fuels, or at least use them more intelligently.
One wasted resource that could be used much more widely is natural gas (methane), which is commonly flared.or “burned” in oil wells, fossil fuel processing plants or refineries, as a safety measure.
Instead of flaring the gas, as is often the case in refineries around the world, it could be stored and used when needed.reducing our dependence on primary energy sources, says UNECE.
The agency is already leading efforts to reduce emissions of methane, which is more than 80 times more potent than CO₂ over a 20-year period and a clear driver of global warming.
The transition to clean energy is crucial
In line with the sustainability goals that the world’s nations agreed to in 2015, the UN supports a transition towards renewable energy production, away from fossil fuels.
He The current crisis “is a clear signal that we must advance the energy transition, in particular through the electrification of transport or heating.” Mr. Liguti stressed.
“We need to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy because they are decentralized and much cleaner energy sources, not only from an environmental perspective, but also from an energy security perspective.”
Hunger worsens in Lebanon
In Lebanon, where ongoing clashes between Hezbollah fighters and Israel continue to cause panic and fear, the economic impact has strained livelihoods, rising costs and supply disruptions are worsening food insecurity.
Nearly a quarter of the population faces acute hunger, according to UN-backed food security experts.
A new alert from the IPC (Integrated Food Safety Phase Classification) warned this Wednesday that the situation is deteriorating rapidly. Around 1.2 million people could face high levels of acute food insecurity between now and August, a sharp increase from the 874,000 affected in late 2025 and early 2026.
“Behind every figure there are families who struggle to meet their food needs constantly,”said the World Food Program (WFP), as it continues to expand assistance with its partners.
Public services to the limit
The humanitarian situation is further aggravated by displacement and the fragility of public services. In a school converted into a shelter in Jdeideh, in the north of Beirut city, 377 people (around 90 families) live in overcrowded conditions, highlighting the pressures on basic infrastructure.
Health services are also under pressure. The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) has been working with partners to strengthen hospitals, including supporting blood banks to ensure life-saving transfusions during emergencies.
Despite these efforts, aid agencies warn that needs continue to outstrip resources.
The crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, they say, is not just a regional disruption but a global shock, which is amplifying existing vulnerabilities and pushing already fragile humanitarian systems to the brink.