UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an accelerated and equitable global transition away from fossil fuels during an energy transition discussion in Belém, Brazil. Speaking at an Energy Transition Roundtable held days before the COP30 climate conference opens, Guterres emphasized that while the energy transformation is inevitable, current implementation lacks both the necessary speed and fairness across developed and developing nations.
The Secretary-General highlighted significant progress in renewable energy adoption, noting that in 2024, renewable sources accounted for approximately 90% of new electricity generation capacity added worldwide. Investment in clean energy technologies reached approximately $2 trillion, exceeding fossil fuel investment by $800 billion. Despite describing this surge as a "renewables revolution," Guterres stressed that current momentum remains insufficient to meet climate targets.
Current national climate action plans, if fully implemented, would still result in global warming approaching 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. This trajectory guarantees increased flooding, heat extremes, and widespread human suffering across all regions. To limit warming to 1.5 degrees, global emissions must be cut nearly in half by 2030, achieve net zero emissions by mid-century, and reach negative emissions in subsequent decades.
Guterres outlined five critical areas for government focus during the transition to renewables. First, countries must restructure legal frameworks and economic systems to support clean energy development while ending subsidies that artificially reduce fossil fuel costs. Second, governments should place workers and communities at the center of transition planning, particularly those currently dependent on coal, oil, and gas industries. Training programs and alternative employment opportunities will be essential, with special attention to young people and women facing high displacement risk.
Infrastructure development represents the third priority area, requiring rapid advancement of electrical grids, energy storage systems, and efficiency improvements to keep pace with renewable energy expansion. Fourth, new electricity demand from data centers and artificial intelligence systems should be powered exclusively by clean sources rather than increasing reliance on conventional generation. Emerging technologies should support climate objectives rather than undermine them through additional energy consumption.
Financial support for developing nations forms the final priority. Africa currently receives just 2% of global clean energy investment despite the continent's enormous renewable potential and development needs. Guterres emphasized that developing countries require substantially increased international cooperation, investment flows, and technology transfer to implement their fossil fuel transition commitments effectively. Support frameworks must account for varying national capacities and different levels of existing fossil fuel dependence.
