Global Shift to Renewable Energy Now Irreversible: UN Chief

United Nations: United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has declared that the world has reached a critical and irreversible phase in its transition to renewable energy, calling on governments to urgently present updated climate action plans ahead of next year’s COP30 summit in Brazil.

Speaking at a high-level meeting on clean energy at the UN headquarters, Guterres emphasized that the age of fossil fuels is coming to an end. “We are witnessing a clean energy revolution,” he said, noting that investments in solar and wind energy are rapidly increasing, while their costs are now significantly lower than fossil fuels.

“This transition can no longer be halted,” Guterres stated. “But at present, it is neither fast enough nor fair enough.”

He urged countries to submit new national climate action plans before COP30, and called on G20 nations to present updated targets by the upcoming Climate Ambition Summit in September.

Investment Surging in Renewables

Highlighting the scale of the shift, the UN chief revealed that in the past year, global investment in clean energy reached $2 trillion—exceeding fossil fuel investment by $800 billion.

According to data from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), solar power is now 41% cheaper than fossil fuel-based energy, while offshore wind energy is 53% more cost-effective. Today, renewable energy capacity rivals that of fossil fuels, and nearly all new energy additions last year came from clean sources.

“Clean Energy Is Now a Reality”

Guterres asserted that renewable energy is no longer a distant promise but a present-day reality. “No government, industry, or special interest can stop this momentum. Fossil fuel lobbyists will try—but they will fail,” he said.

However, he cautioned that renewable energy investments remain uneven, with only one-fifth of recent funding reaching emerging and developing economies (excluding China). To keep the 1.5°C global warming limit within reach and ensure universal energy access, clean energy finance must increase more than fivefold by 2030.

Six Key Actions for a Just Transition

To accelerate the clean energy shift, Guterres outlined six critical actions:

1. Ambitious national climate plans from all governments.

2. Modernized energy grids and expanded energy storage.

3. Sustainable power supply to meet rising global demand.

4. Fair transition for workers and local communities.

5. Trade reforms to expand green tech supply chains.

6. Increased financial access for developing markets.

He also emphasized the geopolitical risks of relying on fossil fuels, referencing oil price volatility following the war in Ukraine. “Sunlight doesn’t spike in price. No one can embargo the wind,” he noted. “Renewables are the path to true energy security.”

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In closing, Guterres called for global financial reforms, stronger multilateral development banks, debt relief for developing countries, and climate-related debt swaps to support vulnerable nations in their energy transition.