UN head admonishes wealthy countries for expanding fossil fuel production
SUMMARY
UN Secretary General António Guterres criticized wealthy nations for expanding fossil fuel production, calling it an “addiction” and urging a swift phase-out. He accused these nations of “signing away our future” by issuing new oil and gas licenses, which he claims exacerbate 'climate crises' like heatwaves and threaten billions. Guterres argued that the recent surge in oil and gas exploration, which could release nearly 12 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases, undermines global efforts to combat climate change. Critics argue that Guterres' stance overlooks the economic and energy security needs of these countries. Ed Miliband, the UK’s secretary of state for energy security and net zero, pointed out the complexity of balancing energy needs with climate goals, stating that transitioning off fossil fuels requires a pragmatic approach.
