Guterres blasts Big Oil for treating atmosphere like 'open sewer'
UN chief targets fossil fuel profits and lack of climate accountability in final General Assembly address.
What to know
- UN chief Guterres used his final General Assembly address to condemn major oil companies for profiting massively from fossil fuels while treating the atmosphere as an 'open sewer.'
- Five major Western oil companies earned nearly half a trillion dollars since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, vastly outpacing the $34 billion mobilized for developing nations' climate adaptation.
- Guterres will host a climate summit Wednesday ahead of COP31 talks in Antalya in November, with observers watching for heightened ambition from fossil fuel-dependent hosts Turkey and Australia.
“Meanwhile, everyday people are paying more for energy, food and insurance.”
António Guterres, UN Secretary-General · Bangkok Post ↗ · Sep 21
António Guterres UN Secretary-General
How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articlesposts
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Guterres compares fossil fuel industry to Big Tobacco
The outgoing UN chief drew a parallel between what he characterized as the "abuse of power" by the fossil fuel industry and the practices of Big Tobacco, and said those responsible for the most pollution and profit must do far more to repair damage.
“Those who polluted the most — and profited the most — must do far more to repair the damage they caused.”
— António Guterres -
first by Le Monde EN, 1d ago · also Bangkok Post, Guardian Environment, Guardian Business
2 more headlines
- UN chief says Big Oil treats atmosphere as ‘open sewer’ Bangkok Post · 1d ago
- Outgoing UN chief says polluters have treated atmosphere like an ‘open sewer’ Guardian Environment · 1d ago
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If the UN Secretary-General can’t motivate world leaders to action on climate, who can? 🤷🏻♂️
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background
Guterres highlights oil profits versus climate finance gap — Guterres contrasted five major Western oil companies' nearly half-trillion-dollar profit haul since Russia's invasion of Ukraine with just $34 billion mobilized for developing nations' climate adaptation, while everyday people face higher energy, food, and insurance costs.
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background
Guterres attacks fossil fuel industry at UN General Assembly — UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered a withering speech at the UN's high-level meeting, accusing major oil companies of treating the atmosphere as an open sewer and demanding those who polluted most and profited most do far more to repair the damage.