UN climate chief warns climate culture war could trigger 'economic disaster'

UN climate chief Simon Stiell has warned that attempts to turn climate action into a culture-war issue must be rejected, as record global temperatures fuel deadly heatwaves, wildfires, crop losses and disruption to businesses and infrastructure. The climate crisis is now a continent-wide economic security emergency, with extreme weather causing an estimated €180 billion in economic damage in Europe alone this summer. Stiell said this as Europe experienced its deadliest summer heat, with tens of thousands of people killed and mass evacuations, power station closures, and trade route disruptions. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change executive secretary argued that climate change affects issues including family health, community safety, and economic stability, as well as food and water availability, jobs, and household bills. Stiell rejected arguments that stronger climate action would worsen other social and economic problems, saying it would instead be 'soft on inflation, and the cost of living, soft on sovereignty and security, and soft on economic growth and jobs.' The fossil fuel crisis is also increasing government borrowing costs, leaving governments with less fiscal space to provide essential public services. The EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service reported that August 2026 was the hottest August ever recorded globally, with global temperatures 1.65C above pre-industrial levels. The extreme temperatures were recorded before the expected full impact of the latest El Niño weather system, which is forecast to strengthen towards the end of the year. Climate change is making the effects of El Niño more severe, according to scientists. The warning comes as populist parties in the European Union and elsewhere call for a rollback of policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.