United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has put forward a six-point action plan aimed at dramatically accelerating the global transition to clean energy.
In an op-ed received by APA this Wednesday, Guterres critically assesses the current pace of transformation, lamenting that it is “still neither fast enough nor fair enough,” leaving developing countries significantly behind.
Emphasizing that “nothing can stop the energy transition,” the UN chief underscores the urgent need to seize this “unique opportunity” to reform global energy systems. To address the prevailing shortcomings, he proposes six concrete recommendations:
Guterres urges governments to fully commit to a clean energy future by presenting new climate plans aligned with limiting global warming to 1.5°C. He calls upon G20 countries, responsible for 80 percent of global emissions, to “lead by example.”
He advocates for building modern energy systems with robust grids and sufficient storage capacity. Guterres notes with concern that for every dollar invested in renewable energy, only 60 cents currently goes to grids and storage, whereas the ratio “should be one to one.” Governments must prioritize renewable energy sources in the face of escalating demand. Guterres specifically highlights large technology companies, pointing out that “by 2030, data centers could consume as much electricity as Japan does today.”
The energy transition must prioritize justice by supporting communities dependent on fossil fuels and transforming supply chains for critical minerals, which he argues are currently “tainted by human rights abuses.” The UN Secretary-General stresses the need to leverage trade by diversifying supply chains, reducing tariffs on clean energy technologies, and modernizing investment treaties.
Guterres calls for significant investment redirection, pointing out that “Africa, which is home to 60 percent of the world’s best solar resources, received only 2 percent of investments in renewables last year.”
A booming sector with missed opportunities
Despite the slow pace, Guterres highlights positive advancements. Last year, nearly all new electricity capacity came from renewable sources, and investments in clean energy reached $2 trillion—$800 billion more than in fossil fuels. Solar and wind power are now “the cheapest sources of electricity on the planet,” creating jobs and stimulating growth.
The Secretary-General issues a stern warning to countries clinging to fossil fuels, asserting they are “not protecting their economies, they are sabotaging them” by missing out on “the greatest economic opportunity of the 21st century.”
ARD/ac/Sf/fss/abj/APA