Guterres calls on countries to set clear timelines for transition away from fossil fuels

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Published: 2026-09-23T22:35:16.530Z • Permanent link

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a stark warning to world leaders, urging them to set clear timelines for transitioning away from fossil fuels and ending the "fossil fuel age." Guterres made the call during a speech at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, where representatives from nearly 200 countries gathered to discuss climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. The UN chief's remarks were met with widespread attention, highlighting the growing urgency of the climate crisis and the need for collective action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Guterres' words were reinforced by a recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which warned that the world has just over a decade to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and avoid the most catastrophic consequences of climate change. The report, which was released in August, emphasized the critical importance of transitioning to renewable energy sources and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. The UN chief's call to action is therefore timely and necessary, as countries grapple with the complex challenges of transitioning to a low-carbon economy.

The transition away from fossil fuels is a complex and challenging process, requiring significant investment, technological innovation, and policy support. However, the benefits of such a transition are clear, with the potential to create millions of new jobs, drive economic growth, and reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. In recent years, several countries have made significant progress in transitioning to renewable energy sources, with countries like Norway, Costa Rica, and Sweden leading the way. These examples demonstrate that a transition away from fossil fuels is not only possible but also desirable, and that countries can take concrete steps to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate the worst impacts of climate change.

The call to action from UN Secretary-General Guterres has significant implications for the global energy sector, with many companies, research communities, and markets expected to be impacted. Companies like ExxonMobil, Shell, and BP, which have historically relied heavily on fossil fuels, will need to adapt quickly to the changing energy landscape. This may involve investing in renewable energy technologies, such as wind and solar power, and developing new business models that prioritize low-carbon growth. Research communities, too, will need to respond to the challenge, with scientists and policymakers working together to develop new technologies and policies that support the transition to a low-carbon economy.

The transition away from fossil fuels also has significant implications for global markets, with many commodity prices expected to be impacted by the shift towards renewable energy sources. Coal prices, for example, have already begun to decline in recent years, while prices for renewable energy technologies like solar panels and wind turbines are expected to fall further in the coming years. Policymakers, too, will need to respond to the challenge, with governments around the world expected to implement new policies and regulations that support the transition to a low-carbon economy. This may involve introducing new taxes on fossil fuels, investing in renewable energy infrastructure, and providing support for companies that are transitioning to low-carbon technologies.

The call to action from UN Secretary-General Guterres is part of a broader pattern of increasing international pressure on governments to take action on climate change. In recent years, several countries have made significant progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with the European Union, for example, setting ambitious targets for reducing carbon emissions by 2050. However, the transition away from fossil fuels is a complex and challenging process, requiring significant investment, technological innovation, and policy support. Other countries, such as China and India, have also made significant progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but the pace of progress is still too slow to meet the targets set by the Paris Agreement.