UN chief says ‘immediate and drastic’ emissions cuts needed to avert climate change catastrophe

UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for immediate, drastic cuts to fossil fuel emissions at his final climate summit, warning that climate change worsens poverty, displacement and instability. He said the countries least responsible for the crisis are suffering its effects first and hardest, and urged leaders to follow the science.

At COP31 in Turkey, countries are debating a target to raise electricity’s share of global energy use from about 21% to 35% by 2035, without requiring renewable generation. Climate TRACE estimates that prioritising clean energy could cut emissions by 14%, compared with 7% if fossil fuels are also used. Guterres also pressed wealthier nations to provide more climate finance, noting that even tripling adaptation funding would cover less than 30% of what is needed; a recent report found progress on limiting warming has stalled for five years.