United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres has issued one of his most strongly worded reality checks about the climate crisis.
Mr Guterres launched a tirade against fossil fuel companies, which he labelled “planet-wreckers”, for failing to act on products that were “incompatible with human survival.”
The UN head said the global climate agenda was being undermined.
“I am very worried where the world stands on climate. Countries are far off track emitting climate promises and commitments,” Mr Guterres said in New York.
“I see a lack of ambition, a lack of trust, a lack of support, a lack of co-operation and an abundance of problems around clarity and credibility,” he continued.
If governments are serious about reaching their goals and committing to their promises, efforts on all fronts will have to be significantly increased, Mr Guterres warned.
In particular, he hit out at oil companies.
The fossil fuel industry is the “dirty heart of the climate crisis,” Mr Guterres said, adding that the use of oil, coal and gas had to end.
Interim climate negotiations concluded in Bonn, Germany on Thursday (local time) in preparation for the next UN climate conference in Dubai, which kicks off at the end of November.
The fact that the so-called COP 28 will be held in the United Arab Emirates has been sharply criticised by observers.
They say the country is a fossil fuel hotspot and is not serious about its own climate goals.
They add the need to convince countries to transition away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energies is becoming more pressing than ever.
