UN Chief Urges Action on Fossil Fuels as Key Leaders Skip COP31 Talks

ANTALYA: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for urgent action against fossil fuels at the COP31 climate summit in Turkiye, emphasizing that they “must go the way of the dinosaurs.” The summit, which commenced this week, is crucial as nations face mounting pressure to address climate change following a year marked by extreme weather events.

Guterres, addressing world leaders in the Mediterranean city, stated, “The brutal truth is that the climate crisis is outrunning us.” His remarks come amid a backdrop of devastating heatwaves in Europe and catastrophic floods in Nepal, underscoring the urgent need for global climate action.

Despite the pressing nature of the climate crisis, the COP31 negotiations, which will continue until November 20, are not expected to yield significant breakthroughs. Countries are currently grappling with an oil price shock and geopolitical tensions exacerbated by conflicts involving the US, Iran, and Russia.

Looking ahead, the international community remains hopeful for collaborative efforts to mitigate climate change impacts, with further discussions anticipated in the coming weeks. The absence of several prominent leaders at COP31 raises concerns about the commitment to addressing the climate emergency.