Guterres urges countries to ‘unleash the renewables revolution’

This article is published in association with United Nations.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has again urged governments to step up the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy as war and climate risks create unprecedented challenges. 

“The conflict in the Middle East has triggered the most severe energy crisis in a generation,” he said in a video message to the Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin on Tuesday. 

“And it makes one fact crystal clear: fossil fuels are not just wrecking our planet – they are holding economies hostage.”  

Rise in investment 

The Secretary-General made the case for renewable energy investment, which reached $2.2 trillion last year or double the amount invested in fossil fuels. 

He stressed that “homegrown renewables are the cheapest, fastest and most reliable source of new power,” laying the path to real and lasting energy security. 

However, this requires action on three fronts. 

A fair transition 

“First, we must respond to the energy crisis without deepening the climate crisis,” he said, recalling that the world has just experienced the hottest 11 years on record “and every major climate indicator is burning red.” 

His second point called for building the necessary infrastructure “to carry clean power to every home” by expanding energy grids, storage and modern power systems. 

Finally, the international community must mobilise finance, particularly for developing countries because “without support, the transition will be slower, less fair, and less secure.” 

Keep your promises 

He noted that for developing countries, clean energy finance costs are two to three times higher than in richer economies. 

“Yet many developed countries are backing away from climate and development finance commitments,” he added. 

The UN chief called for climate justice. He urged countries to uphold climate finance promises, replenish multilateral climate funds, and mobilise $1.3 billion annually by 2035 to support developing countries. 

‘Make the right choice’ 

The international community also must significantly scale up adaptation finance “as a matter of survival,” he continued. 

Although communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis did the least to create it, they are paying the highest price.   

“Adaptation saves lives, protects livelihoods, and strengthens economies,” he said. “And every dollar invested today saves many times more in avoided losses tomorrow.” 

The Secretary-General issued a challenge to the international community, saying “we can repeat the failures of the past – or we can unleash the renewables revolution.” 

He urged leaders to “make the right choice” for climate stability, energy security and a liveable future for all. 

Climate talks 

The Petersberg Climate Dialogue is an international conference convened each year by Germany to advance negotiations ahead of the annual UN COP climate change conferences. 

Ministers and high-level envoys from some 40 countries are attending the current talks which run from 20-21 April. 

“Discussions are expected to centre on three main priorities: implementation of the Paris Agreement, international climate finance and geopolitical resilience,” according to the UN climate secretariat, UNFCCC. 

The next UN climate conference, COP31, is scheduled to be held in Antalya, Türkiye, this November. 

UNFCCC supports the Petersberg Climate Dialogue as part of the broader multilateral climate process. 

The informal format “allows parties to explore solutions to complex and sensitive issues outside formal negotiating settings,” it said.

Furthermore, “these exchanges can help identify areas of convergence ahead of the intersessional climate negotiations in Bonn in June and contribute to preparations for decisions at COP31.”