{
  "id": 19186501,
  "title": "High fossil fuel prices spread inflation ‘like a cancer’, UN climate negotiator tells Cop31",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/high-fossil-fuel-prices-spread-inflation-like-a-cancer-un-climate",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-11-09T17:47:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Guardian",
    "slug": "the-guardian",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/nov/09/high-fossil-fuel-prices-spread-inflation-like-cancer-cop31egotiator-tells-cop31"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Simon Stiell, the UN's chief climate negotiator, echoed growing concerns that the global fossil fuel price crisis is exacerbating inflation worldwide, likening the situation to a \"cancer\" spreading across the planet. As the UN climate talks commenced in Turkey, delegates from nearly 200 nations gathered to discuss accelerating the transition to renewable energy and electrification as a promising alternative to a world still heavily reliant on oil, coal, and gas. The opening plenary featured a somber film depicting the devastating impacts of climate change, urging attendees to reconnect with the planet they have distanced themselves from. With over 100,000 expected visitors, including national delegations and at least 95 heads of state, the two-week talks face mounting pressure to deliver meaningful results. As the talks commenced, a historic El Niño was brewing in the tropical Pacific, and less than two months after a glacier collapse triggered catastrophic flooding in Nepal and Tibet, claiming over 1,459 lives and leaving thousands more missing. Climate scientists confirmed that global temperatures would reach at least 1.8°C above pre-industrial levels, surpassing the 1.5°C temperature goal agreed upon in Paris in 2015. UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged world leaders to \"get serious\" by cutting emissions faster, accelerating a just transition away from fossil fuels, and providing the necessary finance and protection for vulnerable nations. Stiell emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that global heating is already inflicting significant damage and that vulnerable communities are paying the price, generating frustration over a lack of fairness. The US President, Donald Trump, has contributed to the price surge, citing his war in Iraq and the disruption of oil supply through the Hormuz Strait, which reportedly raised petrol prices by 50%, intensifying inflation and slowing economic growth. Australia's climate change minister, Chris Bowen, the president of the negotiations, addressed the opening plenary, acknowledging that the 1.5°C Paris target would be exceeded, but stressing the importance of working together, acting with urgency, solidarity, and resolve to return to the target. Bowen also called on delegates to rise to the challenge and prove themselves equal to the task at hand.",
  "summary": "Simon Stiell makes opening address at summit in Turkey, where talks are under way about speeding up shift to electrification A global fossil fuel price crisis is “spreading inflation like a cancer” around the planet, the UN’s chief climate negotiator, Simon Stiell, told the opening plenary of critical UN climate talks in Turkey. Stiell joined Cop31 hosts Turkey and Australia, which is leading the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}