Guterres calls on countries to set clear timelines for transition away from fossil fuels

“We are the first generation with the tools to end the fossil fuel age – and the last who can avert climate catastrophe,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Wednesday, calling on countries to draw up credible roadmaps with clear timelines to transition away from fossil fuels.Key pointsG20 countries, responsible for around 80 per cent of global emissions, must lead the transitionClimate finance should reach $1.3 trillion a year by 2035, with at least $300 billion mobilized annually for developing countriesNew initiatives announced around power grids and critical minerals, alongside a renewed push on early warning systemsThe appeal came in the middle of High-Level Week at UN Headquarters in New York, where the UN Climate Summit 2026 brought together leaders from major economies, vulnerable countries and major energy producers – alongside consumers – to push for faster climate action and greater cooperation.“The world is crying out for climate justice – in mitigation, in adaptation, in finance. We must answer that call with action,” Mr. Guterres urged.The UN chief decried the fact that greenhouse gas emissions continue rising when they should be plummeting. “Fossil fuel exp...