United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned world leaders at the COP31 Leaders Summit in Antalya that the climate crisis is advancing faster than global efforts to address it. Speaking at the opening ceremony, he called for accelerated climate action and an end to the world's dependence on fossil fuels.
Call for faster climate action
Guterres said the international community must confront the reality of the climate crisis and respond with greater urgency.
“Our first duty to the climate is to tell the truth,” he said, warning that the past four years have been the warmest ever recorded. He described the current trajectory as a path towards “mutual destruction” but stressed that scientific evidence demands stronger action rather than resignation.
“We are fighting for our lives and for the future of our children,” he said.
Progress in renewable energy and transport
The UN Secretary-General pointed to significant progress in clean energy and transportation as evidence that rapid change is possible.
According to Guterres, solar power accounted for nearly three-quarters of the net increase in global electricity demand, while almost one in three vehicles sold this year was electric.
He said these developments demonstrate that large-scale transformation can be achieved when political will and investment are aligned.
Fossil fuel phase-out
Guterres argued that the case for continued reliance on fossil fuels is weakening and reiterated the need for their gradual phase-out.
He warned, however, that such a transition will not occur automatically and called on governments to end what he described as the global “addiction” to fossil fuels.
Climate justice and shared responsibility
The UN chief described climate justice as the defining challenge of the coming decade and called for a new climate justice pact based on shared responsibility and shared benefits.
He said all countries must assume the share of responsibility that corresponds to their circumstances and urged leaders to choose a just transition rather than what he described as the cost of climate-related chaos.
Guterres also repeated his longstanding position that polluters must pay.
Final appeal before end of term
Concluding his remarks, Guterres said he would continue speaking out on climate action as his term as Secretary-General approaches its end.
“Let us continue fighting for a sustainable future,” he said. “I will stand with you every step of the way.”
Source: CNA
