‘Subsidising suicide’: UN chief urges governments to stop propping up polluting fossil fuels
Fossil fuels are 'boiling our planet', says Guterres. Yet COP31 hosts Türkiye and Australia are expanding them, a new report shows.
UN chief Antonio Guterres warned world leaders that subsidising fossil fuels is tantamount to "subsidising suicide", urging governments to cease funding polluting activities as they prepare for the upcoming UN biodiversity summit. Speaking at an event in Yerevan, Armenia, Guterres highlighted that governments continue to invest in the wrong areas, particularly in incentives for fossil fuels.
He called for an immediate end to these handouts and the redirection of funds towards people and the planet. The EU had recently advocated for a phaseout of fossil fuel subsidies during the COP31 climate negotiations in November, but progress has been slow. Guterres expressed disappointment with the minimal advancement made towards reducing public spending on harmful activities, such as mining, fossil fuel extraction, and intensive farming.
He emphasized that nature cannot thrive on mere intentions. Guterres pointed out that for every dollar invested in nature protection or restoration, approximately $30 still supports activities that degrade it, including $2.6 trillion in annual public subsidies that negatively impact nature and the climate.
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Also reported by 2 other outlets
- UN chief says ‘subsidising fossil fuels is subsidising suicide’ freemalaysiatoday.com
- UN chief says ‘subsidising fossil fuels is subsidising suicide’ thehindu.com
