‘Accelerate global action on clean energy transition’
AS the world marked the International Day of Clean Energy on January 26, 2025, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for urgent and fair global action to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
This year, renewables are set to become the world’s largest source of electricity generation for the first time, driven by plummeting costs and expanding adoption.
The Secretary-General hailed the milestone as a testament to the progress made in renewable energy development. “This year, renewables are projected to become the world’s largest source of electricity generation for the first time. Meanwhile, their prices keep plummeting,” he said.
However, he emphasized that the transition to a clean energy future must be swift and equitable to avert the worst impacts of the climate crisis while addressing energy poverty.
Aligning Climate Ambitions with Development Goals
Mr. Guterres called on all nations to integrate climate ambitions with their energy and development strategies, urging them to adhere to commitments made under the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
“This year offers an unparalleled opportunity for countries to align their climate ambitions with their national energy and development strategies. All countries have committed to produce new national climate action plans aligned with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius,” he said.
He highlighted the need for comprehensive plans covering all greenhouse gases and sectors, a just transition away from fossil fuels, and contributions toward tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030.
Leadership from G20 and Global Collaboration
The Secretary-General called on G20 nations, as the largest contributors to global emissions, to lead in setting ambitious targets and ensuring delivery. He stressed that while all countries share the responsibility for climate action, this must be guided by the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities,” recognizing varying capacities and historical contributions to climate change.
To ensure the success of the clean energy transition, the Secretary-General emphasized the need for increased financial flows to emerging markets and developing economies. He proposed increasing the lending capacity of Multilateral Development Banks, reducing the high cost of capital, and addressing debt challenges to enable investments in renewable energy.
A Call to Action
“On the International Day of Clean Energy, let’s commit to an international era of clean energy with speed, justice, and collaboration at its core,” the Secretary-General urged, emphasizing the importance of collective action and the need to ensure that the benefits of the renewable energy revolution are shared globally.
The UN’s call comes at a pivotal moment as nations prepare to submit updated climate action plans in line with global climate targets. The transition to renewables not only holds the promise of mitigating climate change but also offers opportunities to lift millions out of poverty by expanding access to clean and affordable energy. As the world celebrates this milestone, the challenge remains to build on this momentum to ensure a sustainable and inclusive energy future for all.
