UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres isn’t mincing words when it comes to the fossil fuel industry. In a powerful speech, he labeled them as the “Godfathers of climate chaos” pushing the world beyond the desirable Paris climate target of 1.5°C. Guterres highlighted the urgent need for action as emissions continue to rise at an alarming rate, putting the planet in jeopardy of busting its carbon budget by 2030.
What?
Guterres called out the fossil fuel industry for their decades-long deception and disinformation campaign, blaming them for sabotaging climate action. He specifically targeted advertising and PR companies for their role in perpetuating the expansion of fossil fuels and driving catastrophic global heating. Guterres demanded these companies to stop working for the fossil fuel industry, emphasizing the urgency of the climate crisis.
Why does it matter?
The UN Chief urged governments to implement “tobacco style” restrictions on promoting coal, petroleum, and gas, emphasizing the need for immediate action to curb emissions. Belinda Noble, advocating for a ban on fossil fuel advertising in Australia, echoed the call for urgent measures, pointing out the complicity of agencies and media outlets in enabling climate pollution.
Guterres also highlighted the concerning trend of massive advertising budgets by the fossil car industry, promoting environmentally harmful vehicles over sustainable alternatives. While emissions from the transport sector are projected to surge, advertising spend on fossil cars continues to grow, hindering efforts to reduce road transport emissions effectively.
How is it going to shape the future?
The UN Secretary-General praised activists, journalists, and whistleblowers for exposing the fossil fuel industry’s deceptive tactics, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency in the industry. He emphasized the critical role of all stakeholders, from individuals to businesses, in driving the clean energy transformation and combating the climate crisis.
Guterres called for unity in the fight against polluters and profiteers, stressing the importance of immediate action to ensure a safer, cleaner world for future generations. The time to act is now, with leaders urged to make decisive choices to safeguard the planet’s future. It’s a defining moment where collaboration and determination can lead to impactful change and a sustainable future for all.