UN Secretary-General Calls for Transition to Renewable Energy Amid Climate Crisis

Kathmandu. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has stated that fossil fuels are the main cause of the global climate crisis and that the world community now needs to transition to renewable energy quickly, justly, and equally.

In a statement issued after the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution on the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice regarding the obligations of states concerning climate change, he expressed the view that to ensure climate justice, the use of fossil fuels should be gradually reduced and clean and sustainable energy should be prioritized.

According to the Secretary-General, nations with low responsibility for climate change, especially developing and small island nations, are suffering the most. He stated that millions of lives and livelihoods are being affected by floods, droughts, extreme heat, sea-level rise, and natural disasters, calling such a situation a grave injustice.

He has urged the world community to take immediate effective steps to limit the temperature rise to within 1.5 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, he emphasized the need to increase investment in renewable energy, which has now established itself as the cheapest, most reliable, and safest source of energy.

In the General Assembly meeting held on Wednesday, 141 countries supported the proposal presented, while 8 countries opposed it, and 28 countries remained neutral. The resolution welcomed the advisory opinion given by the International Court in July 2025 and considered it an important contribution as a clear interpretation of international law regarding climate change. Through the resolution, all nations have been called upon to act according to their international obligations to control greenhouse gas emissions and protect the environment and climate system.

The Secretary-General pointed out the need to focus on international cooperation, sustainable development, clean energy promotion, and environmental justice to solve the climate crisis. He mentioned that it is the shared responsibility of the world community to take concrete steps now to ensure a secure future for future generations.