UN chief targets fossil fuels in final climate summit speech

UPDATE - follow-up to Cop31 live: World leaders to speak at climate crisis summit: Departing UN chief António Guterres delivered his final climate summit speech on the third day of talks in Antalya, warning that fossil fuels must go the way of the dinosaurs and urging governments to impose a windfall tax on oil and gas companies.

Key Demands

Guterres stated that coal must be phased out in about fifteen years while oil and gas use must be slashed by a third. He criticized the vast profits of fossil fuel companies against the small funds given to vulnerable nations for loss and damage. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also addressed the summit, pointing to a recent overshoot report showing the world will breach the 1.5C Paris goal.

Context

António Guterres will step down as UN secretary-general at the end of the year after leading the international organization through multiple global climate summits. The talks in Antalya bring together global leaders to negotiate emission targets and financial support for countries most affected by environmental changes.