UN Chief Condemns Fossil Fuel Subsidies, Calls Them Threat to Humanity, Nature
UN Chief Condemns Fossil Fuel Subsidies, Calls Them Threat to Humanity, Nature
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UN Secretary-General António Guterres has sharply criticised government subsidies for fossil fuels and other environmentally harmful activities, warning that public funding continues to undermine efforts to protect nature and address the climate crisis.
Speaking ahead of the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, Guterres reportedly described fossil fuel subsidies as “subsidising suicide,” urging governments to redirect public resources towards sustainable development and environmental protection.
He also highlighted the imbalance in global financial priorities, citing figures suggesting that for every dollar invested in protecting nature, approximately $30 is spent on activities that damage it. The disparity, he warned, threatens progress towards international biodiversity and climate goals.
Guterres called on governments to accelerate implementation of international commitments to phase out or reform subsidies that harm the environment. Redirecting financial support towards renewable energy, ecosystem restoration and sustainable development, he argued, is essential to protecting the planet and future generations.
The remarks reflect longstanding UN concerns that public financial support for fossil fuels and other environmentally damaging activities can undermine climate action and biodiversity conservation. Governments have committed under international frameworks to reform harmful incentives, although implementation and the pace of change vary considerably.
