Speaking at the UN Headquarters in New York, on Tuesday, Guterres called on world leaders, especially G20 nations, to deliver bold new climate plans ahead of the COP30 summit in Brazil this November.

In his speech, titled “A Moment of Opportunity: Supercharging the Clean Energy Age”, the UN chief cited record investment in clean energy, a dramatic drop in renewable costs, and mounting evidence that the global energy transformation is irreversible.

“The energy transition is unstoppable,” he stated. “But the transition is not yet fast enough or fair enough.”

According to the Secretary-General, $2 trillion was invested globally in clean energy in 2024, $800 billion more than went into fossil fuels. He highlighted that solar power is now 41% cheaper and offshore wind 53% cheaper than fossil fuel alternatives, noting that almost all new power capacity built last year came from renewable sources.

“This is not just a shift in power. It is a shift in possibility,” Guterres said.

He emphasised that the global clean energy revolution was no longer a theoretical vision, but a reality being led by technological progress and market economics, a development no government, industry, or fossil fuel lobby could prevent.

The Secretary-General urged G20 nations, which are responsible for 80% of global emissions, to align their upcoming national climate plans (NDCs) with the 1.5°C target of the Paris Agreement. These new plans are expected before the Brazil summit and should commit to doubling energy efficiency and tripling renewable capacity by 2030.

“The fossil fuel age is flailing and failing,” Guterres declared. “We are in the dawn of a new energy era.”

While celebrating progress, the UN chief warned that the benefits of the clean energy boom were not being evenly shared. Africa, despite holding 60% of the world’s best solar potential, received just 2% of global clean energy investment last year.

He called for a radical transformation in global finance to close the gap, urging stronger multilateral development banks, debt relief for developing countries, and innovative measures like debt-for-climate swaps.

Guterres outlined six priority areas to fast-track the transition, more ambitious climate plans, modernised grids and energy storage, sustainable growth strategies, a just transition for workers, trade reform to support clean technology, and significantly scaled-up climate finance for developing countries.

“This is our moment of opportunity,” Guterres concluded. “A clean energy future is within reach, but only if we choose to seize it.”

--UN/ChannelAfrica--