United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that COP31 climate talks represent a “moment of truth” for global efforts to tackle climate change, urging governments to accelerate emissions reductions and transition away from fossil fuels.
Speaking ahead of the summit in Türkiye, Guterres said scientists had informed him that limiting global warming to the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target was no longer achievable, describing the assessment as “an enormous shock”.
The UN chief criticised what he described as a failure of political leadership, saying: “It’s not the world that’s failed, it’s the political leadership that’s failed.” He argued that governments need longer-term strategies to support climate investment and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Guterres also called for greater investment in renewable energy, including wind and solar power, while supporting proposals to tax fossil fuel companies’ windfall profits to help countries facing severe climate impacts.
His remarks come as governments prepare for COP31 following a mixed outcome at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, in 2025. While the summit secured agreements on increasing climate finance, adaptation measures and implementation of the Paris Agreement, countries failed to reach consensus on a formal roadmap for transitioning away from fossil fuels.
Ahead of COP31 in Türkiye, pressure is expected to focus on whether governments can move from commitments to measurable emissions reductions, with fossil fuel dependence and climate finance remaining central challenges for international negotiations.
ℹ️ AP News