Renewables
UN chief urges COP31 hosts to deliver fossil fuel transition
António Guterres has called on Turkey and Australia to move past discussions and implement concrete measures to phase out fossil fuels during the COP31 climate summit.
Key points
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres demands concrete action from COP31 co-hosts Turkey and Australia.
- Brazil presents a transition roadmap previously introduced at the COP30 summit.
- Civil society groups demand the operationalisation of the Belém-Antalya Mechanism for a just transition.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged the co-hosts of the COP31 climate conference, Turkey and Australia, to transition from dialogue to implementation regarding the phase-out of fossil fuels, The Guardian reported. Speaking on the second day of the summit, Guterres stated that treating the reduction of fossil fuels as a taboo must end, adding that delegates must organise, finance, and deliver the transition.
The opening days of the summit also featured criticism from civil society. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg described the annual conferences as greenwashed circuses. Additionally, thousands of attendees faced severe logistical challenges, including heavy traffic congestion and crowded public transport systems, as approximately 100,000 people gathered for the negotiations.
What happened
The UN chief's intervention followed the presentation of a transition roadmap by Brazil, which presided over the previous year's climate talks. The roadmap aims to guide global economies away from fossil fuels. Several high-profile figures, including former US climate envoy John Kerry and UN climate chief Simon Stiell, backed the initiative. Kerry noted that verbal commitments do not reduce emissions. Meanwhile, civil society organisations and trade unions representing more than 70 countries called for the operationalisation of the Belém-Antalya Mechanism to ensure a fair transition for workers and communities, particularly in the global south. The co-hosts face substantial expectations to address these demands, despite their own economic reliance on fossil energy extraction.
Why it matters
According to World Bank data from 2025, fuel exports account for 26.9 percent of Australia's merchandise exports, significantly higher than the global average of 9.5 percent. For fossil fuel-reliant economies and emerging nations alike, navigating this transition requires careful financial and structural planning. With global oil benchmarks such as Brent trading at 107.03 US dollars per barrel and WTI at 99.64 US dollars per barrel as of November 2026, energy security, pricing dynamics, and economic diversification remain central concerns for policymakers, regulators, and energy investors across Africa and worldwide.
What comes next
The conference transitions into a high-level leaders' segment with dozens of heads of state scheduled to deliver statements and engage in negotiations. Observers will monitor how the joint presidency of Turkey and Australia responds to the Brazilian roadmap and whether member states can bridge divides over just transition mechanisms.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
Renewables are the fastest-growing part of the world’s energy system. The COP28 goal is to triple capacity by 2030, and solar mini-grids are the fastest route to power for millions of people without electricity.
26.7% of electricity in Australia was renewable in 2021Countries in this story
Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
